Odisha’s Sambad Group organises felicitation event for matric students

Bhubaneswar: In the rat race for success, the society is witnessing an intellectual degradation with morality, integrity and humanitarian values on the decline. In such circumstances, good values take precedence over knowledge and a well-behaved person would be a much better asset to the society than an intellectual one, said Director of Biju Patnaik State Police Academy (BPSPA) Arun Kumar Sarangi. Speaking at the felicitation ceremony for Matric Champions organised by the Sambad Group at the Rail Sadan auditorium in Bhubaneswar, the senior IPS officer said, “A person’s success becomes irrelevant if he has knowledge but no moral values. Which is why it is necessary that students should focus more on ethics than running after success. They should internalise the fact that only a man of principles is held in high esteem in society and that is the true marker of success.”

Addressing the event as chief guest, Sarangi said students must rise above self while pursuing life goals and their focus should be guided by truth, justice and honesty to serve other people. Narrating four anecdotes to inspire students, he said nothing is impossible if a person has faith in oneself and asked students to read autobiographies of successful personalities. “Students must be exposed to various kinds of perspectives and learn to form their own independent opinion without being influenced,” he added.

Participating as chief speaker, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University Professor Sabita Acharya said,”Students have crossed the first major milestone in their academic life with the matric examinations. They must cross all other stages with self-belief and clear vision of their objectives. They must appreciate art, culture, heritage and respect their mother tongue. They must learn to appreciate disparate world views while at the same time developing a sense of nationalism and patriotism. Amid rising cases of suicides, students must realise that life is full of opportunities and taking one’s life must never cross their minds.”

Founder editor of Sambad Group Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, who chaired the event, said everyone should strive to be a “satyagrahi”. There should be harmony between one’s profession and personal values without which success would hardly be worthwhile. One must tread with caution as life is full of sudden uncertainties. Students must refrain from distractions like alcohol and use of mobile phones for wrong reasons. They must also honor their roots, he said.

Managing Director of Sambad Group Monica Nayyar Patnaik also encouraged the students to move ahead with self-confidence and become better versions of themselves. Chief general manager(news) Arabinda Das and chief reporter Choudhury Amitabh Das were present among others. The event was organised in association with Jupiter Group of Institutions, Adyant Higher Secondary School, KMBB Science Higher Secondary School, CV Global University and Allen Career Institute of Science and Technology. It was attended by 214 students from 119 schools in Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh and Bhubaneswar districts, all of whom had secured above 554 marks in the matric examinations.