Pomp and gaiety marked the Annual Day function of Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions, coinciding with the Birthday Celebrations of SVET Chairman Dr. M. Mohan Babu on Wednesday (March 19th).

Union Minister of state for human resource development Smt. Purandareswari, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, urged the huge students gathering not to neglect the importance of Indian culture in the maze of western culture and its growing influence on the younger generation. She referred to the great works of Swami Vivekananda, Sarvepalli Radhakrishna and several other great reformers in the direction of promoting ethical and social values. "Though India made rapid progress in the arena of education, post-independence, the current system of education is mostly limited to mugging up of books and marks. This has led to fast depletion of creativity," she deplored.

SVET Chairman Dr. Mohan Babu recalled his association with the family of late NT Rama Rao. "I cherish a lifelong association with the family of my brother late NT Rama Rao. Today's politics is for those who wait for the opportunity to get positions. But, Smt. Purandareshwari has come into politics as a disciplined leader and with the ambition to serve society. The blessings of her father (late NTR) will be with her always. Her husband Shri. Daggupati Venkateswara Rao is a man of mercy as he stood for forgiving those who killed his father."

Lok Satta national Convener Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said: "True education stands for providing solution to all the social problems. Millions of people in the country are vying for a great change in leadership. I can see the imminent need for leadership from the youth. I am at great joy to see Vidyanikethan educational institutions. I believe, the institutions will continue grow further and further and touch the pinnacle of academic excellence under the guidance of Dr. Mohan Babu."

Former Chairman (AICTE) Prof. Rame Gowda said: "It pains me to note that nearly 80 percent of the engineering colleges in the country are not having sufficient faculty and necessary infrastructure. At this juncture, it is a matter of happiness that Dr. Mohan Babu strived hard to provide the best educational facilities to the students, mostly hailing from the downtrodden sections and drought-prone areas. I am sure that Vidyanikethan will continue to promote the qualitative and meaningful education."

Popular director Shri. Kodi Ramakrishna, film hero and SVET CEO Mr. Vishnuvardhan Babu, Ghazal Srinivas, Vice-Chancellor of SV University Prof. Ratnam, BIRRD Director Dr. Jagadeesh, Andhra Jyothy MD Shri. Vemuri Radhakrishna, TV 5 Chairman Shri. B.R. Naidu, Regional Passport Officer (Andhra Pradesh) Shri. B. Balabhaskar also spoke on this occasion, congratulating Dr. Mohan Babu for his selfless service to the field of education.