The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, graced the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, today as the Chief Guest, commemorating 75 years of the institution’s distinguished contribution to education and nation-building since its founding in 1951 by Reverend Dr. Jerome M. Fernandez.

The event was also attended by Kerala Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum & Natural Gas and distinguished alumnus Shri Suresh Gopi, Kerala Finance Minister Shri K. N. Balagopal, and Roman Catholic Bishop of Kollam Rev. Dr. Paul Antony Mullassery, along with dignitaries, faculty, students, alumni, and parents.

In his address, the Vice-President emphasized that education must go hand in hand with character building, describing it as the true foundation of a meaningful and fulfilling life. He said that man-making is the most important foundation for creating a great, strong, and compassionate society. He underlined the importance of character formation as a cornerstone of education and lauded the institution for nurturing not only academic excellence but also the values of self-discipline, service to others, and social responsibility— virtues that shape citizens capable of contributing to national progress.

Shri C.P.Radhakrishnan highlighted the institution’s inspiring motto, Per Matrem Pro Patria (“Through the Mother for the Fatherland”), as a guiding principle that has inspired generations to live with integrity and purpose. He recalled that 75 years ago, establishing educational institutions required courage, faith, and community spirit rather than wealth, and commended Fatima Mata National College for upholding that legacy as a beacon of knowledge and social responsibility.

The Vice-President made a strong appeal for a “No To Drugs” people’s movement, sharing his own initiative to create drug-free communities across the country. He said that the drug menace is one of the most serious challenges facing youth globally, causing irreparable damage to individuals and societies alike. He urged parents, teachers, and students to join hands in rejecting drugs and alcohol, noting that a drug-free lifestyle is essential for physical health, moral strength, and social harmony. He expressed his resolve to make this campaign a mass movement driven by the people.

Drawing inspiration from the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that education is the greatest wealth a person can possess. He stressed the importance of nurturing scientists, innovators, administrators, and thinkers who can lead India towards a self-reliant and developed future. He encouraged students to cultivate discipline, follow structured routines, and maintain a lifelong commitment to learning.

The Vice-President also urged students to use social media carefully and responsibly, cautioning them about its potential misuse. He observed that while technology has immense power to connect and inform, its careless use can mislead, divide, and distract. He called upon youth to use social media constructively — to promote truth, compassion, and national unity.

Commending Kerala’s remarkable achievements in education and literacy, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that it was the efforts of visionaries like the founders of Fatima Mata National College that made this possible. He expressed confidence that Fatima Mata National College will celebrate its centenary in a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and conveyed his wish to return to the institution during its centenary celebrations as a visitor.

Concluding his address, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated the college community for its seven-and-a-half decades of dedicated service to the nation. He described the institution as both a temple of wisdom and a lighthouse of values, extending his best wishes for its continued growth and enduring contribution to India’s educational and moral advancement. 

*** 

PR/AR