Speech of Mr. Sankar Halder On the 2nd AGM of ASFHM

I extend a hearty welcome to all of you, the Head Masters and Head Mistresses and everyone present here in the second AGM of ASFHM.

We have gathered here today to discuss and find solutions to the problems that have arisen in the field of Education today.  After analyzing the different aspects, we feel that the basic factor giving rise to the problems is the lack of proper leadership that can bring advancement to the society. Our society  is primarily controlled by a handful of politicians  who  , by using  33 to 40 % of our income  as tax  , seek to meet the basic needs of the people  , and there is another group like us  who are trying to solve  different   social  problems staying outside  the political arena .    But it has been observed that there has been a change in the pattern of social structure in Bengal in the last 30 years. Since the 1980 s, the political scenario has changed considerably and the parents have desisted from encouraging their children to join politics and engage in social service. You teachers, who are present here today will be able to realize  the situation if you  ask yourself how many  students  have been inspired to shape  themselves as worthy political leaders or dedicated social workers  . If we look at the developed countries of the world, we cannot find a single instance where the country has advanced ignoring the political currents and cross currents. So what we also need to achieve  true advancement of our country  is people with  high  intellect and  dedication  to  take lead in the  political field .

Our next point is that we who want to work for social welfare find that at present corruption has entered this sector. Some people form organizations for social work driven by their own  financial problems and without being properly  educated  . How can an individual  with lots of personal problems  help others ?  Naturally such a person has to use some portion   of the financial assistance given to the organization  for his  own basic needs and we start looking  down  upon them . Our traditional  mindset makes us  respect and admire those who are earning  lakhs  , and treat with contempt  those with   meager means  , but engaged in commendable social service  . This has given rise to an imbalance . The main reason for  this  is that people who are highly educated  and are  the best brains in society  are engaged in different  professions leading an easy life  , but not taking   any  social responsibilities .  As an example it may be cited that an insect  like the bee  follows  a pyramidal  structure where  the most capable ones  are at the top of the pyramid  looking after the whole community  . But men who have been favored by Nature with brains and talent  , choose the easy way  out and run after  money  . The difficult task of taking the  society forward is left to mediocre  people  . And all problems  start from here .

Every morning we hear that  130 million people are looking for jobs  . On the other hand  millions of jobs need to be done  . We need roads and schools . For roads we need man power and materials  . For schools we need teachers and a roof . Even without a roof  a school can be conducted if we follow  the examples  of Rabindranath Tagore  and Aristotle . When there are lakhs of educated unemployed young people willing to teach, why this gap cannot be filled?

It is necessary  to do an in – depth  study of the   situation  in order to find  a proper and viable solution  . After a lot of  discussion and observation ,  Mukti has reached a conclusion . You all have  heard of  Entrepreneurship  , but  we are talking  of Entrepreneurship , where people from different  professions  will  devote at least  a little  time for social work , while pursuing  their career  unhampered  . Because for proper social improvement we need the support of  meritorious  people  , not their money . At present , merit and intellect are being used only to pursue highly paid jobs .

There is another group of people  who inspite of being  meritorious do not have the freedom  to take decisions  as that power is in the  hands of their bosses  who belong to mediocrity . The teachers who are present here today know too well that they are unable to play a significant  role  in  taking  the country  forward because of the present social structure . Mukti requests you to give to society some time from your daily routine  while not disturbing  the demands of  your livelihood  . This is our  brand of Service to  Society  . Mukti has been formed on this principle . So far almost 800 people who are holding senior positions in different  countries  of the world  have come together  and  formed Mukti .  After a lot of  thought ,  Mukti has chosen this structure  to ensure that the individuals connected with  us  will not take  any illegal or anti- social  steps as that would endanger their career   . So honoring the ideals of  Mukti  , everyone associated   with  us has  joined hands with  utmost  honesty and dedication   .

In Mukti’s  journey of almost 17 years , with the  cooperation  of several software engineer friends we have been largely able to  apply IT Technology to expand our field of work  . It has been  possible to share detailed information  regarding our work and establish contact with  people in all corners  of the world  with the help of technology . In this context l must mention Mr. Chandan Maity , the Head Master  of Krishnachandrapur High School . Since l came in contact with him about 3/4 years ago , l have been inspired by  his school- centric developmental work  and since then we are working in association  .It has been  decided  that the projects which have been successfully  launched by him may be  financially   assisted by our   friends  abroad .  The headmasters  of  different schools present here  ,  you who are capable of hard work   and have a fine vision for the   upliftment of  society can join these projects  and  use Mukti  as a platform for  your  developmental work . You all know that finance is a major problem  , besides others . If you   observe , you would see how  Chandan babu  has been  able to  overcome  them  and has achieved a lot in improving the  infrastructure and atmosphere of  his school . If you see how  in the last few years he has been able to  procure and utilise funds  , you would know that  it may be  difficult   but not impossible  . And we aim to  assist in making  at least  100 more  headmasters  like him . To begin with, you can list  the problems of your school and the adjoining  locality  and start  an awareness campaign  . Mukti will then appeal  for help to  their generous  patrons abroad  .The acceptability  and reliability   needed for this has already been  earned by Mukti  through recognition  in national and international  levels . Along with this there  are certain  regulations regarding  the  use of  foreign funds  in India  , called  the  Foreign Currency  Regulation Act . This Act ensures and controls the use of foreign funds for development  work . Every  country  has its  own  laws and regulations  to supervise the proper  utilization of its money  given to  other countries . That means the  funds  invested in India  for social welfare by foreign countries   can  operate smoothly only  through mutual interaction , and Mukti has successfully   established that relation with  various countries  adhering to their laws  and requirements  . You can use this facility to your advantage through the Mukti  portal , in solving problems relating to your  schools  . Funds may be received from all corners of the world and it will be handed over to you to implement  your project  successfully  . Mukti is inviting you all to make such schemes a reality .

It is essential  here to give you a clear  idea of Mukti’s  political stand . We are an a -political  body ,  but not anti- political . We try to  support  and  assist  all benevolent work  by any political personality or group  . But we never participate in political conflict or debate , either  directly or indirectly , as it is  against our  ideals . Similarly  we do not have  any religious  allegiance . We work for people irrespective  of their caste , creed or religion .

Next, let us  address  the current  problems in Education . You know that Mukti has set up  Oxygen  parlors in different  regions of  West Bengal  during the pandemic . At present the corona  situation is easing a bit , but a major problem is looming  ahead . It is the sharp  increase in the rate of school drop – outs . It will be a big challenge  to Mukti and to you all  to bring back to  school  the students who have been  away from  education  for  almost two years when the schools  have been  closed  . This break in continuity will be very difficult  to make up. So Mukti has planned some programs to tackle this issue. We are about to start a project called Teachers Training Module in association with  some other organizations   . This is the outcome  of serious  research  done for the last two months with ten teachers of the Hindu Academy  . The basics  of different  subjects  which the  students  must learn to make them eligible for  the next class will be given utmost priority . Here it is   important  to categorise  students into 3 groups keeping the  present situation in mind  . Firstly  , those students who  with  family  support  and digital help have been  able to   continue on- line school  education  . Secondly  , those who are in an  intermediary  situation  , with  some access  to electronic  media , if not much .  The third group is those who have been totally deprived of any help. Our concern is this third group. If they  are segregated and taught  as a separate  group , it may give rise to a sense  of  inferiority  complex  leading to  an unwillingness  to join school  . So we have to be especially careful in handling them when schools reopen. Another important factor to us is giving students  an all round education or value  education  , not only a career oriented  education .  We have been  trying to  lay the  foundation of  a value based  education  system  and we need your help to sow the seeds of   morality and  high values in  the  young minds  .  A successful  life cannot  be measured by  money only   , and this has to be realized by them . From  here will be born a future  Vidyasagar  or Swami Vivekananda  .  This will not be possible without your active help.

In conclusion  , l want to say  that we may have   difference  of opinion  in different  matters  , in future  also there will be disagreement  amongst us , but at the end of the day, may we forget our  differences and take a united stand  . Let there be peace. While we take many different routes in our search for God, many will agree that the realization of God is born out of a glimpse of the infinite that comes about when there is a synthesis between the tangible material universe and our conscious knowledge of its wonders. And you, head teachers, are the repository of that eternal knowledge. I personally think that your combined knowledge is greater than that of any one great individual seer of truth. You must pledge to not let that great collection of knowledge be divided due to differences of opinion.

Come forward together, let us work together. Its benefits will not only come to your livelihood or life personally, it will benefit society as a whole. I end by I wishing you all the best, and by wishing you good health.