REMARKS BY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA, H.E. SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE EMBASSY OF INDIA SCHOOL FUNCTION

Hotel Ritz Carlton, Moscow, 4th September 2009

Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas,

Shrimati Panabaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textiles,

Members of Parliament,

Principal and Staff of the Embassy of India School, and

My dear children,

I am very happy to be here amongst young students and teachers of the Indian school in Moscow. I am speaking to you on the eve of the observation of Teachers Day in India. I take this occasion to send my greetings to the teachers of the school and all the teachers of our country who are providing invaluable service to society and the nation, by preparing a new generation to face the world. India has been known through centuries as a civilization with a tradition of learning and scholarship. We have a responsibility to continue this great tradition of learning and it is the teachers who are instrumental in imparting education and knowledge to children.

I enjoyed the songs and dances presented by the children and am proud of the good work being put in by our School in a foreign land. Please keep up the good work. My best wishes are always with you.

I am visiting Russia when the "Year of India in Russia" is being celebrated. India and Russia are very old friends indeed and our relations are deep and time tested. Both India and Russia want to reinvigorate their friendship and the celebration of the "Year of Russia in India" last year and the "Year of India in Russia" this year is aimed to create a heightened awareness of each other in both countries. Taking this opportunity of these special celebrations of the two years, we would like to reach out to youth and the children of both the countries. You as children, who are our future, would carry this relationship even further.

The Embassy of India School, Moscow represents, upholds and nourishes the educational values of India among its students in Moscow and thereby represents what India is in Russia.

As you represent India, you must feel proud of the great achievements of our country and the immense efforts and sacrifice which has gone in the making of the modern and independent India. India, as you know, is the world's largest democracy. It is a democracy which has functioned successfully, has been stable and has seen changes of governments as per the will expressed by the electorate through the ballot box.

India has a young population which is an added strength in terms of human resources and the availability of skilled labour. Education has always been a priority for our socio-economic development goals and higher institutions of learning in India like the IITs and the IIMs, are highly regarded throughout the world. Students from India are sought after by the best universities and institutions in the world because of the academic excellence and the culture of hard work which they bring along with them. I am sure that the Embassy of India School is also a true representative of the best of Indian educational values.

By nurturing the education of our children in a foreign land, the Embassy of India School is inculcating the values of multiculturalism in the children. I am told that the School is not limited to Indian students but it also has Russian students and some students from other countries. The School is thus fortunate to experience and learn the best of what various cultures have to offer in such an environment and is helping its students become true global citizens of tomorrow.

In our world, unfortunately, we come across ideologies of hate, war and killing in the name of religion, ethnicity, languages or this or the other perceived differences. Growing up in a multicultural environment, I am sure, would teach you tolerance and respect for differences and experience of working together as a united team. We need citizens who can overcome ideologies of hate, terrorism and violence and work towards development and progress through understanding and cooperation between all. I am sure when you learn Hindi and Russian, learn each others songs and dances, celebrate the festivals of the two countries together, you become a bridge of friendship and understanding between India and Russia and also between peoples of the world.

Dear Children,

Growing up in a globalized world is exciting. The Internet and fast means of communications have brought people across the world in contact at the touch of the mouse or keyboard. Unfortunately, we also know that the internet and mass culture in the world today is dominated by certain forms, music, internet games. Since the internet especially is the domain of the new generation, the young are particularly prone to be influenced by the content available in that medium. If you are swept off your feet, it may lead to the loss of your own cultural heritage, your language, customs and traditions. I would urge all of you to inculcate good reading habits, learn more about the history and culture of our country and thus develop a well rounded personality rooted firmly in your culture. Examination scores are very important but a grounding in our culture and values which is not reflected in mark sheets is equally important. I hope you will follow my advice.

I have been told how well the Embassy of India School, Moscow has done consistently in academics and especially in the last CBSE examinations for X and XII. Its performance has been rated among the top schools in India and abroad which follow the CBSE curriculum. I am happy to learn this and would like to announce a gift of a bus and computers for the Embassy of India School.

I wish all of you great success in your studies and your future.

Jai Hind.

******