THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI
Hon’ble Chief Minister, Atishi Ji
Chief Guest of the Day, Dr. Ajai Chowdhry Ji
Vice Chancellor, NSUT, Prof. Anand Shrivastava
Registrar, Deans, Heads of Departments, faculty and staff members of the University
Friends from media,
and most importantly, the degree recipients and their proud parents.
Good Morning to all of you.
I am honoured to be part of the 2nd Convocation ceremony at Netaji Subhas University of Technology. We have gathered here today to celebrate not just the academic achievements of our graduates but also the rich tradition and progress that this esteemed institution embodies.
02. At the outset, I would congratulate all the graduating students, their parents and the faculty members associated with them. I would like to reiterate that the success of students passing out today would not have been possible without your support and encouragement.
03. Having evolved as a premier institution in a short period of time since its inception, NSUT has been committed to providing quality education and an environment where students can evolve holistically. The university combines the best of academic traditions with modern, innovative approaches to education. NSUT (formerly NSIT) has come a long way since the day of its upgradation as a University, and its growth trajectory during a short span of just 06 years has been impressive. The theme of today’s convocation: ‘Celebrating tradition and progress with sustainable innovations’ resonates deeply with the ethos of NSUT.
I firmly believe in the saying: -
अन्नदान परम दान है और विद्या का दान उससे भी श्रेष्ठ है,
क्योंकि दान में मिला अन्न तो कुछ समय के लिए तृप्त करता है;
परन्तु विद्या दान आजीविका का साधन बन जीवनपर्यन्त तृप्त करता है।
04. Progress in education is changing the way we live, work, and interact. Dear students, remember that your education is more than a degree as you enter the world. As I often say:
डिग्रियां तो पढाई के खर्च की रसीदें होती हैं,
असली ज्ञान तो वो है जो आपका व्यवहार दर्शाता है I
What you take from here should serve as the guiding force in your future, which will help you in making decisions about improving living conditions, bridging economic disparities and solving global problems in order to promote humanity.
05. As I address young bright minds full of aspirations today, I want to underline something important. You have gained the strength of knowledge, that will give you unparalleled confidence in your field of study. But knowledge must also inculcate in you humility. Humility that teaches you to appreciate others, enables you to understand that there can be various equally valid approaches to meet the same objective as yours. Humility also inculcates in you the ability to assess yourself critically in the context of society and country.
क्यूँ न थोड़ा सा अलग बनें,
खुश रहने की सलाह न देकर
खुशियों की वजह बनें
06. Equally important my dear young friends, will be to never lose the zeal and spirit to question, have the strength and conviction to defend, what you think is right and also the courage to accept and amend when you are wrong.
07. Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Institutions like NSUT educate and empower our biggest national asset. Youth who are our biggest demographic dividend. This dividend is going to achieve the maximum, when it excels in any discipline that it pursues. Excellence in education has a direct impact on the society, and thereby, the larger exercise of nation-building. Excellence in education can transform a society and a nation into a meritocracy, where millions can succeed through their ability and hard work. The biggest challenge that our institutions of learning face today, is to shed the challenge of mediocrity, as we move ahead in the 21st century. This challenge can be best answered by you and all such bright minds, who move out of their institutions, and venture into the world of opportunities, as future leaders of the society and the system. Many of you will have the opportunity to move abroad for higher education as well as for jobs. However, it should also be your collective endeavour to create an environment that equally attracts foreign students to study and contribute in India.
08. Innovation, as I often emphasize, is of great importance as it promotes sustainable growth in a highly competitive world. Different stakeholders like industries, academic institutions and institutions of Research & Development, have very important roles to play in innovation. The end game for all such activities is the benefit of mankind and preservation of the ecosystem around it. This is where Indian Knowledge Systems become relevant.
09. The Indian Knowledge Systems or the भारतीय ज्ञान परम्परा seeks to promote indigenous systems of knowledge. The Indian Knowledge System comprises ज्ञान, विज्ञान and जीवन दर्शन that have evolved out of experience, observation, experimentation, and rigorous analysis. This tradition of validating and then putting into practice, system and processes, has impacted our education, arts, administration, law, justice, health, manufacturing, and commerce sectors. The knowledge of ancient India relates to India’s future aspirations in education, health and environment.
10. I have been told that NSUT has also embraced the National Education Policy to ensure that our graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. Recent initiatives, such as the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, the upcoming centres in the ‘Internet of Things’ and the ‘Fab Lab’, showcase the university’s commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation. The education received here has armed the students with the knowledge and skills, needed to make a positive impact on society, while also paving the way for your successful career ahead.
As you move ahead, always remember:
“Thousands of great ideas cannot make you successful….
But, better execution of just one idea can change the lives of millions”.
11. I am delighted to know that more than eighty percent of the NSUT graduates have been placed successfully. Top multinational companies recruit NSUT students every year. Some alumni have even become successful civil servants and entrepreneurs. I hope that NSUT continues to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of its graduates forever.
12. Finally, I leave you with the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
13. As you embark on your new journey, remember that every action you take can contribute to creating a better and a more sustainable future for all of humanity.
14. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and God speed.
Thank you,
Jai Hind!