Vice President Radhakrishnan inaugurates centenary celebrations of St. Stephen’s HSS in Kerala, calls for value

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday inaugurated the centenary celebrations of St. Stephen’s Higher Secondary School in Pathanapuram in Kerala’s Kollam district, marking 100 years of the institution’s contribution to education and nation-building.

Describing the milestone as “remarkable” and achieved by only a few institutions, the Vice President said the school has spent a century shaping minds, nurturing character and building futures, with generations of students emerging as responsible citizens, leaders and compassionate individuals.

Addressing students, teachers and alumni, he emphasised that the true strength of any institution lies not in its infrastructure but in the values it upholds. “Education must go beyond textbooks,” he said, stressing the need to cultivate critical thinking, empathy, resilience and integrity in a rapidly evolving world driven by technology and innovation.

Encouraging students to dream big and remain grounded, the Vice President urged them to uphold the values imparted by their school and strive not only for personal success but also to create a positive impact on society.

He called for a nationwide mass movement against drug abuse, describing it as one of the biggest social challenges facing the country. “The campaign against drugs must cut across religions, languages and political parties,” he said, urging students to firmly say “No to Drugs.”

The Vice President also highlighted the importance of healthy political competition, noting that constructive rivalry among parties to serve society is a positive development in a democracy.

Connecting the institution’s 100-year legacy with India’s broader aspirations, he said the country is progressing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also underscored the significance of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

“The India of 2047 will be shaped by the ideas and initiative of today’s students,” he observed, calling on young people to embrace innovation while remaining rooted in moral and cultural foundations.

As St. Stephen’s enters its second century, the Vice President expressed hope that it would adopt modern educational advancements while continuing to prioritise character-building and nation-building.

During his visit, the Vice President paid floral tributes at the holy tomb of the Four Metropolitans at Mount Tabor Dayara in Pathanapuram.

The event was attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi, Kerala Ministers K. B. Ganesh Kumar and K. N. Balagopal, Lok Sabha MP Kodikunnil Suresh, and Catholicos of the East Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, among other dignitaries.

In his concluding remarks, V-P Radhakrishnan said that the centenary year should be marked by meaningful programmes that honour the past, celebrate the present and prepare for the future.