The Convocation Address: Questions and Answers

ANSWERS:

For better understanding:

1.         What does the speaker try to convey in the beginning of his speech?

The speaker feels happy to stand before the new graduates of the University. But at the same time he finds it important to offer suitable guidelines for the future of the graduates. He says that he is going to repeat the advice given by great, selfless men earlier.

2.         How can a University trim and train, guide and lead a person to function better in society?

The universities should trim and train, guide and lead the students to serve the entire society. They mould the students to bring light into darkness, to give knowledge to ignorant people and give hope to the hopeless. The students are trained to have confidence in themselves and faith in others.

3.         According to Dr.S. Radhakrishnan Universities ensure the democratic way of life for the future generations. How?

According to Dr. Radhakrishnan the University develops the spirit of democracy among students. Students learn to appreciate the points of views of others and learn to solve the differences through discussion. Individual responsibility and judgment will keep the society healthy. Graduates learn all the above in the university.

4.         List the contributions of the educated youth to the society

The educated youth should contribute to the growth of the society. They should impart knowledge to the people who are ignorant and give comfort to the suffering people. They mould the students to bring light into darkness, to give knowledge to ignorant people and give hope to the hopeless.

A. Based on your reading of the speech, answer the following questions briefly in a sentence or two.

1.        Who does the speaker claim to represent?

The speaker claims to represent the great men who have offered advice to the youth in the past. They have already given the cardinal (most important) principles of individual and of society. The speaker says he will give the new graduates the findings of experts in the field of education.

2.        Why are universities necessary for a society?

Universities are necessary for a society, because they are storehouses of knowledge, and they train the students ^:n service to society. We are now in a democracy and each graduate must think of all people and try to better our society in all possible ways.

3.        What was the role of scholars and poets in olden days?

In the olden days universities produced scholars and poets only to adorn the chambers of kings and queens. The wisdom of the scholars was meant for lords and nobles, not for the common men and women. The scholars and poets worked in secluded places, away from the life of the common people.

4.        In what ways have universities improved the society?

In the olden days the poets and scholars were servants of kings and lords. But today the universities are for the common men and women. Universities produce graduates who are equipped with knowledge. The graduates have faith in democracy and respect and treat all men as equal. Thus universities improve the society.

5.        Universities develop broad-mindedness. How does Dr. Radhakrishnan drive home this idea?

According to Dr. Radhakrishnan the University develops the spirit of democracy in students. Students learn to appreciate the points of views of others and learn to solve the differences through discussion, not by fighting. Thus universities develop broadmindedness in students.

6.        What should the youngsters aim in life after their graduation?

After graduation, the youngsters have a two-fold duty. First they have to earn enough money for themselves and their families-. Secondly, and more importantly, they must give back to society what they have received. They must light the dark minds of people and give hope to those who are hopeless.

7.        How can a graduate give back to his/ her society?

Society is responsible for the education of youngsters. Therefore graduates should give back to society what they have received. Graduates must educate uneducated older members of society and impart knowledge to them. They must give hope to the hopeless people. Thus students can give back to society.

B. Based on your understanding, answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.

1.        ‘Wisdom was meant for the mansion, not for the market place’ What does this statement signify?

In the olden days, kings and lords ruled many countries. They encouraged patronized scholars and poets. Therefore the scholars and poets were bound to serve the kings. The scholars praised the kings and they (scholars) used their wisdom only to help the kings. So wisdom was meant for the mansion (palace of the king)

2.        According to the speaker, how should Universities mould the students of the present day?

According to the speaker, universities should trim and train, guide and lead the students to serve the entire society. The students should think of all common men and women, because we all live in a democracy. Universities mould the students to bring light into darkness, to give knowledge to ignorant people and give hope to the hopeless.

3.        How does Arignar Anna highlight the duties and responsibilities of graduates to the society?

Arignar Anna points out the government and society pay for the education of the youngsters. People who toil and sweat, pay for the youngsters’ education. Therefore,'Anna says that graduates must give back to society what they have received. Graduates must try to serve society in all possible ways—to remove ignorance and bring light and hope.

4.        Students are instilled with some of the essential values and skills by the universities. Enumerate them.

Universities equip the students with knowledge. They give the students patience and perseverance. They instil in the students faith in democracy and a capacity to shoulder responsibility. Above all these, universities instil in the students the spirit of service to society and concern for the common men and women.

5.        What are the hindrances a graduate faces in his/her way?

A graduate will find many selfish men in social and political life. The self-seekers live a luxurious life and they are praised. But at the same time the patient hard working poor people suffer a lot. Tyranny of all kinds will discourage the graduate. The environment is such that even the good and service-minded are discouraged. These are several evil practices different from noble idea of service. These are the hindrances a graduate faces in his/her way.

C. Answer the following questions, based on your understanding of the speech of Dr. Arignar Annaduarai, adding your own ideas, in a paragraph of about 100 – 150 words.

1.        How do Universities mould students apart from imparting academic education to them?

In the olden days the poets and scholars were servants of kings and lords. But today the universities are for the common men and women. Universities produce graduates who are equipped with knowledge. According to Dr. Radhakrishnan, the University develops the spirit of democracy in students. Students learn to appreciate the points of views of others and learn to solve the differences through discussion, not by fighting. The universities develop broadmindedness in students and teach the students the need for patience and perseverance. The universities should trim and train, guide and lead the students to serve the entire society. They mould the students to bring light into darkness, to give knowledge to ignorant people and give hope to the hopeless. They are trained to care for the common man. The students are trained to have confidence in themselves and faith in others. They learn how to shoulder responsibility with courage and confidence. They are also inspired by the great, selfless leaders of the past and determine to serve the society. Thus in addition to giving bookish knowledge, the universities mould the students for meaningful future life.

2.        The common men contribute to the maintenance of institutions of higher education. Explain this statement.

Large amounts of money is needed for the maintenance of institutions of higher learning. How does this money come? The state collects revenues from all people and allots a large share of it for education. This revenue comes from tillers and toilers — people who work on the agricultural fields and in factories and industries. They sweat all day long to earn livelihood. But they give money to the government by way of taxes of a hundred different types. Arignar Anna points out the government and society pay for the education of the youngsters. People who toil and sweat pay for the youngsters’ education. Thus the common man contributes to the maintenance of institutions of higher learning. Therefore, Anna says that graduates must give back to society what they have received. Graduates must try to serve society in all possible ways—to remove ignorance and bring light and hope.

3.        How does the speaker highlight the importance of giving back to the society?

The state collects revenues from all people and allots a large share of it for education. This revenue Comes from tillers and toilers — people who work on the agricultural fields and in factories and industries. They sweat all day long to earn livelihood. But they give money to the government by way of taxes of a hundred different types. Arignar Anna points out the governmentand society pay for the education of the youngsters. People who toil and sweat pay for the youngsters’ education. Therefore it is the duty of the graduates , to payback what they have received. The graduates should bring knowledge to the uneducated masses. The graduates should have faith and confidence in themselves and realize the value of democracy. Graduates should give hope to the hopeless people. Graduates should try to help and serve the common men and women. Thus the speaker highlights the importance of giving back to society.

4.        You were one of the fresh graduates at the convocation function of the University. You had the rare privilege of listening to the enlightening speech of Dr. Arignar Anna. Write a letter to your friend describing the core ideas of his speech and the impact of the speech on you.

My dear Kathiroli,

I am fine; hope you are well. You know that our University Convocation took place last Monday and around 700 students got their degrees. Arignar Anna, the Chief Minister gave an inspiring speech at the convocation. He explained how the universities shape young minds by providing knowledge and instilling in them a sense of service and sacrifice. Anna said the society pays for our education and we, as graduates, should give back to society what we have received. We should bring knowledge to the uneducated masses. We should have faith and confidence in themselves and realize the value of democracy. We should give hope to the hopeless people. We should try to help and serve the common men and women in all possible ways. I have decided to follow Anna’s advice and do my best to serve our society.