Chandigarh, November 30 - Vice President of India Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan today graced the 20th Convocation of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, Haryana as the Chief Guest.
On this occasion, the Governor of Haryana Prof. Asim Kumar Ghosh, Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Naib Singh Saini, Director of NIT Kurukshetra Prof. B.V. Ramana Reddy, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of NIT Kurukshetra Dr. Tejaswini Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President expressed his happiness to be associated with one of the premier technical institutes of India in this important event. He praised NIT Kurukshetra, saying that it is an institution with a prosperous heritage, a vibrant present and a bright future that is shaping the standards of technical education in the country.
He said that Kurukshetra is a sacred land that reminds us that religion always triumphs over evil, no matter how powerful the evil may be.
The Vice President said that the convocation ceremony is not just a ceremony, but a moment when years of dedication transform into a new beginning filled with pride, hope and opportunity.
Speaking on the pace of global change, he spoke about developments in the fields of AI, renewable energy systems, space technology, biotechnology, cyber security and semiconductors.
He stressed that technology has become a powerful medium in reshaping industries and redefining the way society functions. He urged the students to innovate responsibly and said that the real purpose of technology is not just progress, but purposeful progress.
Encouraging the students to delve deeply into research, innovation and India-specific problem-solving, he said that these two engines will further India's technological leadership. He stressed on the need for young researchers to conduct research in emerging areas of national importance, such as sustainable manufacturing, smart mobility, quantum technology, healthy service technology, agricultural innovation and green infrastructure.
The Vice President said that India is moving from being a consumer of technology to a global producer of advanced resources. He credited initiatives like Digital India, Startup India and Make in India for encouraging a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem and urged the graduates to transform their ideas into industries that will create jobs and contribute to national development.
While acknowledging the contemporary global challenges – climate change, cyber security threats, equitable access to technology and ethical use of AI – he said they also provide immense opportunities for innovation and leadership. He appreciated the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020. The policy provides opportunities for multidisciplinary education and is deeply rooted in the culture, heritage and ethos of India. The Vice President said that NEP 2020 has put India on a transformative path by breaking the Macaulay education system’s open-ended stereotype. He said that Macaulay’s education system was started to govern India and only produced clerks.
Appreciating the institute's focus on holistic education, he appreciated the establishment of the Centre for Whole Personality Development (CHPD), which promotes intellectual, emotional and moral development through courses on Bhagavad Gita, universal human values, cognitive science and mental health.
Describing the national vision of “Developed India 2047”, the Vice President expressed confidence that the graduates of NIT Kurukshetra will play a significant role in realising this goal. He lauded the institution for its strong culture of research, innovation and intellectual property creation, with 64 patents awarded so far.
He appreciated the institute’s significant contribution in AI-based warfare, defence research and advanced technologies in space missions like Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Missions in collaboration with DRDO and ISRO. He appreciated the institute’s efforts towards a self-reliant India through low-cost research, indigenous technology, with the aim of improving the standard of living in villages and slums.
Urging the students to stay connected with India’s development journey, he said that research is essential for bridging the urban-rural divide, MSMEs should be strengthened, agriculture modernised and rural economy should be supported so that technology reaches the last person. He said that we should move from brain drain to profit from talent. He encouraged the graduates to keep India in their hearts wherever they go.
Expressing his hopes for the youth of India, he said that I believe that the next Google, the next Tesla, the next SpaceX should be from India - from institutions like NIT Kurukshetra.
The Vice President also appealed to the students to say no to drugs and live a disciplined life.
Concluding his address, he reminded the graduates that their degree is not an ending point but the beginning of a new responsibility. He urged the students to serve society with creativity, humanity and compassion.