Younger generation need to be told about the life of leaders, says Venkaiah Naidu

As people are getting disillusioned with the system, the younger generation needs to be told about the life of leaders, and how one should conduct oneself in public life, said former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Speaking at the Dr. Navalar & Era. Sezhiyan Award Function at VIT Chennai on Tuesday, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu said: “ I call upon the legislators to see to it that the Parliament is resumed. People are getting disillusioned with the system. We are the largest Parliamentary democracy in the world. We feel proud of the same. You must all abide by the decision of the Parliament. ,” he said.

Pointing to the protests by legislators in Parliament, Mr. Naidu stressed the need for introspection on the part of the legislators to see that the parliamentary standards were maintained. Waxing eloquent about Dr.Navalar and Era. Sezhiyan and their contribution as legislators to nation building, he said: “They are not individuals, they are institutions. Real leadership is measured not by titles or positions but by the impact we have on the lives of others.”

Outlining the contribution of educational institutions such as VIT in social advancement, he said: “Students should have access to high quality education, for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for social advancement. Teachers should not only teach the subject, they should teach values to the students. Education without culture is useless.” Mr.Naidu also spoke about the impact of the tariffs imposed by the U.S. “We will not succumb to pressure. The path the American president has chosen is wrong,” he said.

VIT Founder-Chancellor G. Viswanathan spoke about the role of young parliamentarians led by Union Minister Karan Singh who used to meet on Wednesdays several decades ago to discuss all issues faced by the country. “I was the youngest Member of Parliament while we used to meet on Wednesdays to discuss issues faced by the country,” he said.

Former Union Minister Karan Singh received the Era. Sezhiyan Award while World Tamil Confederation president Pazha Nedumaran received the Dr.Navalar Award. VIT vice president G.V.Selvam spoke.