Mysuru: Veteran Social Worker Vani Venkatram was felicitated at a programme jointly organised by Venkatagiri Prakashana, Acharya Purushothama Vidyapeetha and Sri Vaishnavi Sangeetha Sabha at ‘Pranava Nilaya’ on Vani Vilas Road here on July 30.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Writer C.N. Muktha said that Vani Venkatram is a role model for everyone.

Observing that the younger generation need to have value-based education in order to emulate the service of Vani Venkatram, she regretted that human values are being left out in our present education system.

Noting that in earlier times, although the number of well- educated people was less, there were more number of ‘cultured’ people, Muktha bemoaned that the present day youths are finding it difficult to mingle freely in society.

Maintaining that the parents and teachers have failed in educating children on societal values, she stressed on the need for an overhaul in education system.

Expressing concern over youngsters taking extreme steps for trivial reasons, Muktha regreted that the parents, instead of allowing their wards to have their own choice of profession, are forcing their own choice on them.

Pointing out that children are not even allowed to spend holidays to their liking, Muktha said that the children are being deprived of their freedom as they are being forced to attend summer and other camps.

Stressing on the need for introspection on why we are losing human values, she emphasised on the need for the parents to educate their children on culture and human values.

Social Worker K. Raghuram, in his address, said that we are indebted to society and as such we must pay back to the society from what we have learnt.

Noting that social workers were identified and honoured during the rule of Maharajas, he said that the situation has completely changed now, with people having to press the Government on honouring sincere social workers.

Venkatagiri Prakashana’s Prof. N. Girigowda, Writer B.R. Nagarathna, Acharya Purushothama Vidyapeetha Secretary Nirmala Jayamaruthi, Sarada Vilas College Faculty Dr. Vimalashri, artist H.R. Bhadresh Kumar and others were present.