In a rapidly changing technological era, students should constantly strive to keep themselves updated by making use of opportunities provided to them in educational institutions as also beyond academic campuses, Mylswamy Annadurai, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, said on Sunday.
The thought of doing things differently and new should always linger in the minds of students as this would drive them in achieving their desired goals, Mr. Annadurai said. He was speaking at the 67th College Day celebrations at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College here.
Exhorting students to be inquisitive so as to widen their knowledge and imibibe the spirit of questioning, he said these qualities would help in equipping themselves constantly. Many acclaimed scientists and experts the country had produced came from a modest background with the thirst for learning and to keep themselves updated, Mr. Annadurai observed.
Alongside excelling in academics, students should also have a responsiblity towards society and develop the tendency to give something back to the nation. Educational institutions should create the atmosphere for holistic development of students alongside orienting them on their responsiblity towards society, Mr. Annadurai said.
Whichever discipline students opt for in their academic path, the drive to excel and do things differently should always remain inside, Mr. Annadurai said.
He distributed awards to best outgoing students of the college and certificates to academic toppers on the occasion.
College principal Dr. R. Padmavathy, academic adviser Dr. Usha Chandrasekaran, vice-principal Dr. M. Vasuki, college faculty members and students participated. Mr. Annadurai released a audio compact disc on the theme, Swacch Bharath.
Launches planned
In a brief interaction with the media later, Mr. Annadurai said satellites were being launched every month for the past two years. Three satellites were launched in January, he said adding that the chances of launching two satellites — GSAT-6 and IRNSS-1I — in March were bright. Steps were being taken by the Indian Space Research Organisation to launch a series of satellites this year including GSAT- 11 and Chandrayaan - II.