Swayameva Guru – Self is the Teacher” Prof Varakhedi at IGNOU 33rd Convocation

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has conducted its 33^rd Convocation on 17^th February 2020, by awarding Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates to 2,31,622 students. To help its students spread across the Country, it is held through Technology mediated Tele-Convocation at selected 39 Regional Centres and Nagpur is one among them. This Programme is broadcasted through Gyan Darshan TV Channel and broadcasted through IGNOU website. Through this Learner Centric approach, students were given option to attend at their nearest Regional Centre.

Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ ji, Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development is the Chief Guest and delivered Convocation Address at IGNOU, New Delhi. Prof Nageshwar Rao, IGNOU Vice Chancellor presented Vice Chancellor’s report.

The Convocation at Nagpur is held at SHALOM Auditorium, Hislop College. Total 1124 students were eligible to receive their Degrees/Diplomas. Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor, Kavikulaguru Kalidasa Sanskrit University, Ramtek is the Guest of Honour at Nagpur Venue of the Convocation. He delivered the Regional Convocation Address and distributed Certificates to the Students. He also presented the Best Employee Award to Shri S Senthil Raj, Assistant Registrar for his dedicated Services to the University. Prof Varakhedi also felicitated the National Gold Medalist in PG Diploma in Analytical Chemistry Ms Jyoti Dasila, who could not attend the Function at New Delhi to receive the Gold Medal. Profile 2019 of Nagpur Regional centre is also released on this occasion. 

Dr P Sivaswaroop, Regional Director in his Report enlisted various activities carried out during the year by the Regional Centre. He stated that under GYAN GANGA activities of REACHING THE UNREACHED Sections, they conducted Awareness Meetings at various places including interior Villages. As per Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, they have adopted 5 Villages, 4 are in Kurkheda and Korchi Talukas of Gadchiroli District (an Aspirational District announced by NITI Ayog) and one in Nagpur Rural. The VIRTUAL CLASSROOM for Student Prisoners has been continuing through Gyan Vani FM Radion Station.

In association with other Institutions like VNIT, RTM Nagpur University, the Regional Centre has carried out Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored Teacher Training programmes and residential programmes for ZP and Tribal School Children. Recently a Teacher Training Programme for ZP and Tribal Schools Teachers was conducted at Gadchiroli. Dr Sivaswaroop said that 4 Student Prisoners of Nagpur Central Jail are eligible for Diploma in Management in this Convocation and they will be awarded their Diplomas in a Special Function to be held in Jail. 

Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi in his Regional Convocation Address Congratulated the Awardees. He said that Education is for ‘making meaningful Life’ rather than ‘making Living’. He stated that the word ‘Shiksha’ means ‘acquiring the Knowledge’ but not ‘transfer of Knowledge’. Prof Varakhedi said that the Ancient Indian Education System emphasized on Oral direct method of Teaching, but never denied the possibilities of Distance Learning. He stated “ Swayameva Guru – Teacher is none other than the Self”. While quoting 11^th Skandha of Bhagavatam, he referred an Avadhuta who said ‘the whole world is his Guru”. The Avadhuta listed 24 Gurus like the Earth, the Moon, the Sun, Sky, Fire, water etc. Prof Varakhedi stated “If a Learner has interest to learn and an open mind, the entire Universe becomes an Open School.” 

Prof Shrinivasa Varakhedi opined that for a geographically vast and highly populated country like India, campus isolated and classroom based education system is not sufficient. Open and Distance Education System is the only option to reach out to the Learners. In present day 5G Technology, effect of direct learning is brought into Open Learning System and no more Distance exists. He concluded that “for a Village girl or a poor boy, by studying they earn not the Degree, but Dignity.” 

The 33^rd Convocation was hosted at Hislop College and Dr Shelke, Principal Incharge and others have extended all support for successful conduction of this programme. The Programme was attended by Dignitaries like Dr Shankar Tatwavadi, Dr Ramesh Thakre, Dr P T Shukla, Dr. R. P. Thakre, Dr. K. R. Nagraj and Dr. Vijender Kumar.

The Programme was conducted by Dr Rishi Agarwal, Coordinator of IGNOU Study Centre, Hislop College and Dr. Razeka Khan. Dr Sasicoumar Brunot ARD is overall Incharge for the function and Dr Y Venkateswarlu, ARD proposed Vote of Thanks. All the Regional Centre staff and Dr Shubhajit Haldar, Assistant Coordinator of IGNOU Study Centre, Hislop College put in their efforts for this Convocation Function.