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Speeches of Alagappa Chettiar |
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Welcome speech of Dr. Chettiar on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone for the "Hobby Center' Attached to the Alagappa Chettiar Collage of Engineering & technology and Alagappa Polytechnic by Bharat Ratna Dr. M Visvesvaraya on 8th October, 1955. It is my good fortune and unique privilege to welcome you, Sir, to our midst this afternoon. I whish to convey our respectful felicitations to Dr. Visvesvaraya even before the conferment of the great honor was regarded by us as a Bharat Ratna. Popular feeling. He is an example to tell the world outside that India produces such men as he, in whom is combined science with commonsense. Dr. Visvesvaraya has now become a by-word in our land. If I may say so, he is India's day dream come to earth. A Stateman and an Engineer that he was, he has very nearly become an institution, nay, even to spread sweetness and light in the State of Mysore, by harnessing the waters of the Cauvery, laying the foundation of the University of Mysore and foundation of the Engineering College with which we are directly concerned. It has been my ardent desire to get him to our College Campus on some occasion or other, nay I should like to add that his coming itself is an event of the highest importance and by itself is an event of the highest importance and by itself an occasion. He is now here to lay the foundation of the Hobby Center and thereby inaugurate a branch of activity which is not merely dear to his heart but which will give ample opportunities for every student to exercise his mind outside the class room and thereby fulfill a wish of Dr. Rajendra Prasad our revered President, who in his message to the inauguration of the Engineering College said 'the College of Engineering will play its part in the marking of India's great future' There is an appropriateness in requesting Dr. Visvesvaraya to lay the foundation stone of this Hobby Center for his life's work is an illustration of the vital part that hobbies play in one's life. He was great as an administrator, Engineering was his hobby or whether as an Engineer, administration was his hobby. It is this combination that has made him unique among both administrations and engineers and it is my earnest prayer that the blessings of such a veteran engineer statesman will encourage us to go further forward in our activities. I feel a sense of diffidence in my capacity to welcome our honored and revered guest. This morning as I had the unique privilege of motoring down from Trichy to Karaikudi with Sir M. Visvesvaraya in the car, I was very pleasantly and in a friendly way told of the fact by Sir. M. Visvesvaraya that I am only half of his age. I am reminded of another unique occasion when I had the great privilege of walking on the terrace in Madras in the company of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. When Mahatma Gandhi told me whenever you feel tired don't be ashamed to tell me that you are tired and straightaway sit down, to which I remarked, 'Bapuji, I am only half you age; how can I say I am tired?' pat came the reply, never mind, half or quarter of the age. If you are tired, tell me the fact honestly enough'. That is the same privilege I had in talking to Sir M. Visvesvaraya this morning. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to have had the opportunity of moving with Dr.Visvesvaraya for last six or seven years in the activities of the All India manufactures' organisation of which he is the founder president. That organisation is one dedicated to the industralisation of India and it is ever under the watchful guidance of our revered guest. I may take this occasion to take pardonable pride in the fact that one year when Dr. Visvesvaraya could not find it possible to preside over the Anniversary Celebration at its Delhi Conference, I had the unique privilege of being asked by Dr. Visvesvaraya to preside in his absence. That conference was inaugurated by Dr.Shyamprasad Mukerji and the Exhibition attached to which, I had the distinction of presiding also, was inaugurated by our revered President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. It has indeed been the greatest event of my life my associationship with this revered soul I am deeply grateful to this eminent son of India for his kindness in coming to our Campus and blessing you all. I shall not say much on the 'Hobby Center' because our Principals both Mr. Vankanna and Lt.Col Paul must have spoken to you about it. Thought all the Engineering Colleges have well equipped workshops attached to them, still they can be used by the students only during scheduled hours. One of the methods by which the creative talent in students can be developed is to provide a separate place - Hobby Center - wherein, with the small equipments as power lathe, some fitters' tools, Drilling machine, some carpenters' tools and soldering irons, the students in the leisure hours can walk into this place and work out the exhibits. Not only will this arrangement give opportunities for you to work in your leisure hours but it also will give a feeling to you that there is a place which you can call it your own. This feeling coupled with availability of tools etc., at leisure hours, will go a long way to develop the creative instinct in your which will enable you not only to latest powers but will also lead to your making some useful exhibits, nay, sometimes leading to some discovery also; let us prayerfully hope that this activity for which Barath Ratna Dr. M. Visvesaraya is laying the foundation stone will in course of time fulfil the high ambition and great idea that are expected of the present students by our leaders of the country.i cannot conclude my welcome better that by quoting the words of our beloved Prime Minister, Who said: " Round about this institution, I understood other institution will grow" this center may be converted into one of the most productive areas of the country in doing good to the people". I welcome you, Sir, once again to my campus and request you to bless us and lay the Foundation.
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