Student politics is never a hindrance to education, if political practices accord correct principles to it, former Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala G. Balamohan Thampi has said.
He was inaugurating a three-day National Student Parliament that began at Kanakakunnu Palace in the city on Saturday.
Mr. Thampi said parents did not support students who joined politics because the meaning of politics had changed from that which helped create institutions for better administration to one that was characterised by corruption and acts for personal gains.
“But politics, in its right sense, would only help students to actively participate in nation-building and is never in conflict with education,” said Mr. Thampi. He also stressed the importance of imparting non-formal education among students along with textbook knowledge.
Student leaders from across the State would be engaged in a number of discussions and seminars on various issues, including the current status of higher education and other socially relevant issues at the parliament jointly organised by various university unions in the State.
IT@School former executive director Anwar Sadath, former vice-chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy V.K. Joseph, journalist M.G. Radhakrishnan, and former MLA K.K. Shylaja conducted seminars on various topics ranging from politics of culture to gender issues. Former Education Minister M.A. Baby and Vice Chancellor of University of Kerala K.M. Abraham will handle sessions in the coming days.
