President Ram Nath Kovind on Sept. 20 said that the history of Christianity in India goes back 2,000 years, and it has carved out a "special role for itself in education" and has also contributed so much to the country's shared culture.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Jesus and Mary College in Delhi, Kovind said that missionary institutions have become symbols of scholarship, dedicated teaching and academic excellence.
Pointing out to the role of society and private and public organizations in nation-building, Kovind said, "Here I must note that the Christian community, whose history in India goes back 2,000 years and which has contributed so much to our shared culture, has carved a special role for itself in education. Missionary institutions such as this one have become symbols of scholarship, dedicated teaching and academic excellence."
He said all religions encourage people to "constantly learn and evolve and grow, to acquire knowledge and gain wisdom. And so become better human beings."
To stress his point, he quoted the Gospel: "In the Gospel, According to John, chapter eight, verse 12, Jesus is quoted as saying, 'I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life'."
He also said the Jesus and Mary College has taught and prepared young women to break the glass ceiling, to reach their potential, give to society and to the economy.
"Education of girls is much more important than we realise. An educated girl contributes to the economy and at work. She also ensures that other children in her family, as well as the family she may be married into, are educated. The next generation is made responsible and educated through the education of girls," he said, according to the Indian Express.
Education becomes complete only when the acquired knowledge is used to enhance welfare of the less-privileged, Kovind noted.
"The truly educated are not those who collect degrees, but those who use those degrees and the underlying scholarship to become nation-builders," he said.
