–NJ Thakuria
Guwahati: Addressing the fourth convocation of Mahapurus Shrimanta Shankaradev Viswavidyalaya in the city on 2 February 2021, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal commented that with the help of patience, perseverance, dedication and diligence, one needs to add value to the personality and transform the weakness into success. The senior BJP leader also added that starting its modest journey the university, named after the great Vaisnavite saint, philosopher, social reformer, etc Shrimanta Shankaradev will have to be an institution of repute not only in Assam but across the country. For this to achieve, the teachers as well as the students will have to work hard in their respective fields, asserted Sonowal.
Speaking about Jagatguru Shankaradev, Sonowal commented that taking birth in the 15th century he put tremendous efforts to establish a society based on the tenets of wisdom, discipline and diligence. Namghars, an institution established by Shankaradev, acted as educational institutions, stated Sonowal adding that students of the university would have to take a lead in propagating and spreading the philosophy of Gurujona around the world.
Stating that some facets of Gurujona’s life are still left to be discovered, Sonowal asked the university to introduce a subject encompassing the life and philosophy.
of Mahapurus Shankaradev. Referring to the cut-throat competition prevalent among the universities, he exuded confidence that in the coming days the Viswavidyalaya would transform itself into one of the leading universities of India.
It may be mentioned that the Shankaradev Viswavidyalaya presently has 12 departments with 60 teachers and over 700 students. This year 82 research scholars have enrolled themselves in different departments to carry out research works. The university will soon move to its permanent campus for which the government in Dispur has already allotted 300 bighas of land and initial fund of rupees ten crores. Presiding over the convocation, the varsity chancellor Kamalakanta Gogoi commented that through formal education one may not reach the zenith of success, but one has to go beyond the formal modes of education to reach the ultimate goal. Gurujona taught five hundred years back that everybody is unique with an indomitable spirit, he added.
Its vice-chancellor Dr Hitesh Deka, University Grants Commission member professor Kiran Hazarika, Krishna Kanta Handique Open University vice-chancellor professor Kandarpa Das, Shrimanta Shankaradev Sangha associate Bhabendranath Deka along with a host of dignitaries and students were present on the occasion.
