Education group concludes golden jubilee festivities

MUMBAI: The NES-SVB group of institutions, which conducted 50 events as part of its golden jubilee over the past year, celebrated its valedictory ceremony on Friday at Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion to appreciate efforts of all those who helped make the event a success.
On the occasion, founder-president Dr R Varadarajan spoke about his 'educational voyage' and the challenges he faced.Urging the need to provide education to every child in the country, he said they are planning to launch the first vocational degree college in Dharavi.
"Talks with educational authorities are on and this will soon be a reality. We also want to introduce three new subjects in the curriculum-world peace, space science and patriotism," he said.
Some highlights of the year were NES World Peace Congress conducted in the presence of Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama XVI. Several global speakers, students from various schools from over the world were present at the event to create a better and peaceful world.
This was followed by a space exploration programme, where Capt Jon McBride, a NASA astronaut was invited to design and demonstrate a '4 Dimension Space Exploration Programme'.
Chief guest for the valedictory function, Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar, former vice-chancellor of Mumbai University & Rajya Sabha MP, said, "Education is the most valuable donation that can be given to the masses. This is the only thing that gives real value and meaning to human life." He lauded the importance of vocational education in the country. Other dignitaries present were MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar, chairman of Siddhivinayak Trust Subhash Mayekar, NCP member Niranjan Davkhare, Quantum Mortgage Corp, USA, MD Vivek Naik, and deputy council general of South Africa David Widd.
Cap: David Widd, deputy council general of South Africa; Subhash Mayekar, chairman of Siddhivinayak Trust; founder-president Dr R Varadarajan; Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Rajya Sabha MP Bala Nandgaonkar, Vivek Naik, Niranjan Davkhare, and Balasubramanian V unveil the brochure at the