Date:02/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/02/stories/2004020210190300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Private schools urged to help Govt. institutions

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 1. A colourful programme coupled with music marked the graduation day ceremony of Bishop Cotton Boys' School here on Sunday.

The Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, B.K. Chandrashekhar, said there were 50,000 Government schools in the State and the students enrolled there were products of deprivation. Though the Government was doing its best to enhance the standard of these schools, more efforts were needed.

He urged private schools such as Bishop Cotton Boys' School to donate used computers or other material to Government schools so that students could get a better opportunity for learning. "Any learning has no meaning without sensitivity," he said.

He admired the infrastructure of the school.

Addressing the students, Ramesh Ramanathan, founder, Janaagraha, said as citizens of the country, the students should acknowledge and understand what democracy offered to them. At present, there was a lack of idealism and a lot of cynicism among young people.

Devi Prasad Shetty, cardiologist and chairman, Narayana Hrudayalaya, was felicitated on the occasion on being selected for the Padma Shri Award.

Subroto Bagchi, president and chief executive officer of MindTree Consulting, and A. Ebenezer, principal of the school, were present.

Around 247 students in the 10th standard and 123 in the 12th standard passed out of the school.

Special awards were given to Varun Shetty of 12th standard (Captain's Medal, Maiden Cup, and Captain's Special Award); Amrit Hinduja of 12th standard (Best Prefect Award); and Keshav Nambiar (Most Caring Boarder Prize). Other awards were presented to Nitin S. Baliga (information technology captain), Nikhil Kumar K.S. (sports captain), Alden Christopher D'Souza (music captain), and Joe Paul (chapel prefect).