The Hindu Business Line : `Universities must foster individual's spiritual growth'

Universities have an important role and big responsibility to bring about a qualitative change in the contemporary values of youths, according to Mr Soli J. Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India.

Delivering the convocation address at the 25th annual convocation of Mangalore University on Saturday, he said that the aim and function of the university couldn't be simply to teach its students the techniques of bread winning. "It should also foster an individual's spiritual growth by transmission and inculcation of ethical values," he said.

The pride of any university would legitimately be that its students are not merely brilliant economists and scientists, but they are also good citizens whose actions are guided by sound ethical principles.

Corruption

He said that the decline of values in a society could be gauged by the prevalent level of corruption. Corruption has become universal in its reach and spread. Along with stringent laws to combat corruption, there is a need for galvanising public opinion against the corrupt gentry. They should be publicly made aware that they are the scum of society who deserve to be ostracised by all right thinking people, he pointed out.

Stating that there is crisis of confidence and leadership, he said: "The foremost requirement is the restoration of confidence in our institutions. This needs strong and enlightened leadership, which is able to cope with emergent problems boldly and decisively, which does not seem in sight."

The aim of every state should be the education of its youth, initiating them into worthwhile ways of thinking and acting in keeping with ethical principles, he said.