Mysuru: Knowledge and work are not separate, it must be the principle that needs to be inculcated in our contemporary education system, said former Academic Dean, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Dr. Vikram Raje Urs.

He was delivering the inaugural address at the 4th Annual Paper Presentation, organised by the Department of English, St. Joseph’s FGC here recently and said, “Mysuru is extremely fortunate to have high literacy rates due to our forefathers like the ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar who made it possible.”

Dr. Urs, a former Professor of English, advocated to implement holistic approach in schools and colleges and value based education. Acquiring the basic skills will help the students to choose the right profession, he added.

Rev. Fr. Praveen Kumar, Priest in-Charge of St. Joseph and St. Matthias Institution, pointed out that every student is unique and asked the students not to compare themselves with others. He also stated that in this competitive world, students have to exhibit their talents in the field of education, sports and business.          

Prof. C.M. Mani Mathew, CEO of St. Joseph’s Colleges, recalled the contribution of Lord Macaulay, the Governor General in 1835 for introducing English in India. He added that students should make an effort to improvise their communication skills in English.

Students from various colleges of city took part in paper presentation. The college also had a poster presentation of renowned English writers like John Keats, R.K. Narayan, Rabindranath Tagore, W.B. Yeats, William Shakespeare, Robert Frost, John Donne, Arundhati Roy, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Charles Dickens, P.B.Shelley,  Tennessee Williams, Walt Whitman and Bertolt Brecht.

At the valedictory function, Principal Dr. V. Niveditha highlighted the increasing demand for translators, columnists and technical writers who have good command over the languages.

She later distributed prizes to the winners — Vishnu Dev of St. Philomena’s – first prize, P. Devika of SDM – second and Thoi of Marimallappa’s College – third.

Deepa of third year BA welcomed. Amulya of first year BA introduced the chief guest. Ajay of third year BA proposed a vote of thanks. Ruben Prajwal of first year BA and Tejaswini of final year BA compered. Sister Sheela and group added musical notes to the popular poem “Should Old Acquaintance be Forgotten” by Robert Burns.

The valedictory function was compered by Gahana and Vaishak of first year BA.