Class 11 English 2024 Edition www.tntextbooks.in · Section 146

to play and the prominence is growing every day, as more and more individuals get themselves equipped for the task of bettering society in all its age when we have eschewed monarchy and autocracy and have inaugurated the era of democracy. During the monarchical or feudal days, Universities had to train scholars and poets to adorn the chambers of royalty or the gilded mansions of lords and nobles and their wisdom was meant for the mansion, not for the market place. Those were days when numbers did not count, nor were eminent scholars asked to face the problems confronting the masses. They were content to work in secluded spheres, far from the din and noise of the common man and weave the costly fabric of philosophy of poetry which in turn was to be converted into dazzling garments for the select and the privileged. The role of the University today is not cloistered and confined as in the past. Its function has been in its fundamentals but in its domain. It has to take into account the commonness, but trim and train, guide and lead him, before being asked to do his duty as the citizen of a democracy – a task which kindles sweet hopes but which demands patience and perseverance, faith and confidence, faith in himself and in others and confidence in his inherent ability to shoulder the responsibilities. The common man has become the origin of a potential ruler and the duty today, the responsibility today of the universities is to fashion out of him an individual fitted and equipped for the task of making democracy fruitful and effective. While addressing the University of Brussels, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, our former President, made the following statement: “For its proper functioning democracy requires more qualities than other forms of government. It is in the universities that we can develop the true spirit of democracy, appreciation of others’ points of view and adjustment of differences through discussions. It can be kept healthy and strong by the exercise of individual responsibility and judgement. In universities we have to recall the struggles of the past and realize the perils and possibilities, the challenges and opportunities, of the present.” For better understanding: According to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Universities ensure the democratic way of life for the future generations. How? Graduates of the year, I wish you all a prosperous future – for, after all, the immediate concern of every individual, graduate or no graduate, is to acquire the means for a decent living. That is the first motivation for all human activity and no one can ignore it, but that ought not to be the sole objective. Something higher and nobler than mere individual material advancement is expected of you – for remember that this University education is a privilege that you enjoy, for which you are deeply indebted to the community of which you are a member. For better understanding: How can a University trim and train, guide and lead a person to function better in society? -A-Prose-Dr. Arignar - - :