Address by Principal of Thakur Public School at TSAP on UN SDGs
Namaste and a joyful morning to everyone in this august gathering! Let me begin with a small Sanskrit verse from the Maha Upanishad:
आयाम बंधुरायं नेती गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचåरतानां तुवसुधैव कु टुÌबकम्॥
The English translation: “Only small men discriminate saying: One is a relative; the other is a stranger. For those who live magnanimously the entire world constitutes but a family.” Vasudhaiva kutumbhakam is a social philosophy emanating from a spiritual understanding that The World of humanity is made of one life energy. It stresses the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion. It reminds us that we are all part of one global community, and that what we do to others we do to ourselves.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world as a family, seeks to overcome the ‘us-vs-them’ mentality, which is at the root of all conflict, differences, inequities and violence. The universe is diverse but there is interconnectedness and harmony in it. The idea of interconnectedness is now being accepted.
The concept of global commons underlines the interconnected relationship of man with nature and among natural systems. Being an idea that unites, rather than divides, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- the world as a family, can serve as the basis of the ongoing discussion regarding global cooperation for resolving global problems.
At our educational institutions, we prepare the young leaders of tomorrow. It is pivotal that these young students are informed and engaged with the global vision for the future. Over the next decade, youth will not only directly experience the outcome of SDGs and plans, but will also be the key driver for their successful implementation. For this reason, it is vital to raise awareness about the recently adopted 17 SDGs and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development among youth, build a platform for discussion, and create the conditions for active engagement.
Youth are not just beneficiaries of this process – they are essential actors in achieving these Goals. Both young men and women have enormous ability to make change not only for themselves, but also for their societies and the rest of the world. As citizens of the world, these young students have the right to learn and participate in implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda in partnership with other stakeholders of their societies.
We believe that there is great power and potential when the young come together. The world today prospers from the fruits of global economic growth. At the same time, it shares the fear of massive environmental degradation.
Human activity has led to very real dangers such as climate change, desertification, water stress, and ecosystem degradation. In addition, the fruits of economic growth are far from being shared widely. We see highly unequal distribution of income both within and between countries. While billions of people thrive with increased longevity and higher levels of wellbeing, the poorest of the poor continue the daily fight for survival, lacking basic levels of nutrition, health-care, shelter, or sanitation.
We cannot support a model of development that exhausts our natural resources and destroys the environment that we coexist in and depend on for survival. Sustainable development is a model of development that we can maintain and support. It is the long-term vision that countries have agreed upon to be the best path forward for improving the lives of people everywhere. We want to grow together, transforming into a more just and equitable society.
We also want to prosper in the present, but without compromising the resources of the future. The Post-2015 Agenda for Development reflects the ambitions and vision of young people. It also means that young people can and should have a sense of ownership and play their part in the collective endeavor for achieving a more sustainable world.
As a school, Thakur Public School is eagerly looking forward to begin this Academic partnership with Thakur School of Architecture and Planning, to create mutually beneficial relationships between students, faculty and other education stakeholders with the common objective of working towards the SDGs.
We are confident that this partnership will undoubtedly contribute to our students, the future global citizens becoming responsible, aware and conscious individuals, doing their bit for the community, society and world.
(For any details contact us)
Website: www.tsapmumbai.in
E-mail: tsap@thakureducation.org
Contact: 022-67308001/02
WhatsApp: +91-9833665446
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