**Executive Summary**
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, graced the Valedictory Function of the Centenary Celebrations of St. Berchmans College in Changanassery, Kerala, on February 28, 2026. During the event, he highlighted the college's role in nation-building, emphasized the importance of education and technological development, and called for a shift from merely adopting technologies to creating them. The Vice-President also inaugurated the Berchmans Centre for Emerging Technologies and the Dr. K. M. Abraham Centre for Energy and Environment.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Centenary Celebrations:**
* Vice-President attended the valedictory function of the Centenary Celebrations of St. Berchmans College.
* He noted this was his third visit to Kerala after assuming office.
* **Education and Nation-Building:**
* The Vice-President described the 100-year-old college as a vital contributor to nation-building.
* He highlighted the role of the college as a center of intellectual awakening, shaping minds and the nation.
* Emphasized that education is the most powerful tool for transformation, building character and shaping society.
* **Technology and Development:**
* Stressed the importance of research and technological development for national growth.
* Called for a shift from merely adopting technologies to becoming creators of technology.
* He expressed confidence in India's future.
* **Charity and Service:**
* Underlined that true nobility lies in the spirit of giving, not just in wealth.
* Urged students to give back to society.
* **Future Outlook:**
* Expressed confidence that the centenary marks the beginning of a new era of greater glory for the college.
* **Inaugurations:**
* The Vice-President inaugurated the Berchmans Centre for Emerging Technologies and the Dr. K. M. Abraham Centre for Energy and Environment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: St. Berchmans College**
* **Impact:** Recognition of the college's historical contribution to nation-building and education.
* **Action Required:** Continue to contribute to nation-building, adapt to new technologies, and instill the importance of charity and service in students.
**Stakeholder: Students of St. Berchmans College**
* **Impact:** Encouragement to dream big, work hard, stay rooted in values, and contribute to society.
* **Action Required:** Embody the college motto, strive for excellence, and contribute to the nation's progress.
**Stakeholder: Indian Education System**
* **Impact:** Emphasis on the importance of character building in education and on developing innovative technologies within India.
* **Action Required:** Adapt educational practices to focus on nation-building, technological innovation, and character development.
**Stakeholder: Kerala State**
* **Impact:** Recognition of contributions by the state's educational institutions.
* **Action Required:** Support educational institutions in the state to continue their development.
Key Entities Referenced
St. Berchmans College: A college in Changanassery, Kerala, celebrating its centenary.
Vice-President of India: The speaker and key figure in the event.
Kerala: The State where the event took place and the Vice-President made comments about the state having become Keralam.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President graces Valedictory Function of
Centenary Celebrations of St. Berchmans
College, Changanassery
100 Years of St. Berchmans College a Saga of Nation-
Building and Character Formation: Vice President
“Kerala Has Become Keralam”: Vice-President Calls Third
Visit Special
“Education Builds Character; Educated Citizens Shape the
Nation”: Vice President
Era of Adopting Technology Over; India Must Become Creator
Nation: Vice President
Posted On: 28 FEB 2026 6:02PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, graced the Valedictory Function of the Centenary
Celebrations of St. Berchmans College in Changanassery, Kerala, today.
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan graced the Valedictory Function of the
Centenary Celebrations of St. Berchmans College in Changanassery, Kerala
today.
Describing it as his third visit to the State after assuming office, he termed it a
special occasion, noting that… pic.twitter.com/3ZBESd4FTK
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) February 28, 2026
The Vice-President said that this was his third visit to Kerala after assuming office and described it as a
special one, noting that “Kerala has become Keralam,” reflecting the deep cultural identity and pride of
the State.
Describing a 100-year-old college as “not just a campus of classrooms and corridors,” the Vice-President
said that for a century, the institution has silently yet steadily contributed to nation-building. He noted that
when the country was under colonial rule, the historic college served as a centre of intellectual
awakening.Founded in 1922, he said, the college has stood as a guiding light of knowledge and character,
shaping minds and the nation alike.Reflecting on its legacy, the Vice-President said that countless alumni have carried the light of the
institution across the country and the world. He particularly mentioned that the great actor Prem Nazir and
former Chief Ministers Shri Vasudevan Nair and Shri Oommen Chandy were alumni of the college. He
remarked that producing two Chief Ministers is among the institution’s greatest contributions to the
development of the State.
Emphasising the importance of mutual respect, the Vice-President said that respecting the sentiments of
others is essential to ensure respect for our own sentiments.
He observed that learning never ends, irrespective of one’s social or economic status, and stressed the
importance of maintaining an open mind throughout life.
Shri C.P.Radhakrishnan noted that he attends many education-related functions and reiterated that
education is the most powerful tool for transformation. “Education builds character,” he said, adding that
an educated citizen shapes society and the nation.
Highlighting the importance of research and technological development for national growth, he said that
the era of education merely producing clerks for colonial rule is long over. India, he stated, is changing
rapidly. “The time of merely adopting technologies is over. We must become creators of technology so
that the world adopts what we produce,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the country’s future, he added that this transformation is possible because India
is changing and is powered by its dynamic youth.
He added that as India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi, institutions like St. Berchmans College will play a crucial role in shaping responsible
citizens, innovators and leaders.
Referring to the college motto, Caritas Vera Nobilitas (Charity is True Nobility), the Vice-President
underlined that true nobility lies not in birth or wealth, but in the spirit of giving. He remarked that charity
is not limited to money; it can be a kind word, emotional support, time, effort, knowledge or guidance.
“Living for oneself is not bad, but living only for oneself is bad,” he said, urging students to give back to
society and keep the college’s motto in mind wherever they go.
Addressing the students, he said, “You are the second century of this college. The next hundred years will
be written by your ideas, your courage and your commitment. Dream big. Work hard. Stay rooted in
values.”
Concluding his address, the Vice-President expressed confidence that the centenary marks not the end of a
hundred years but the beginning of a new era of greater glory. “Let the next century shine brighter than the
last,” he said.
On the occasion, the Vice-President also inaugurated the Berchmans Centre for Emerging Technologies
and the Dr. K. M. Abraham Centre for Energy and Environment during the centenary celebrations.
The Governor of Kerala, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar; Union Minister of State for Petroleum and
Natural Gas & Tourism, Shri Suresh Gopi; Kerala Minister for Cooperation, Ports and Devaswom, Shri V.
N. Vasavan; Member of Parliament Shri Kodikunnil Suresh; MLA Shri Job Michael; Archbishop of
Changanassery Mar Thomas Tharayil; Principal of St. Berchmans College, Dr. Teddy Kanjooparampil;
Manager of St. Berchmans College, Mr. Antony Ethackad; and other dignitaries were present on the
occasion.
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