Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged the youth to embrace a positive attitude towards reforms and not deprive themselves of new knowledge.
Addressing the youth at the 136th convocation of Allahabad University, the chief minister emphasised that every new piece of knowledge is a science in its own right, and distancing oneself from it creates self-imposed barriers.
He pointed out that many people struggle to accept new ideas and reforms, often protesting against them. He stated that the era of demanding that personal needs be met regardless of circumstances is over, and such attitudes will never lead to the progress of the nation or society.
The chief minister further asserted that every moment of our lives should be dedicated to fulfilling our duty to the nation. He also condemned those attempting to divide student and youth power based on caste, opinion, or religion, calling them perpetrators of a grave injustice by weakening India’s youth force. Such individuals, he said, must never be allowed to advance.
Chief Minister Yogi attended the 136th convocation of Allahabad University on Wednesday, where he conferred degrees on the graduating students. Allahabad University Vice-Chancellor Prof Sangeeta Srivastava welcomed the chief minister by presenting him with a memento and draping a shawl. Chancellor Ashish Kumar Chauhan administered the oath to the students being initiated. Chief Minister Yogi also awarded the honorary degree of DLitt to the renowned poet Dr Kumar Vishwas on behalf of the university.
In his address, the chief minister stressed the importance of not depriving oneself of new knowledge, highlighting that the pace of time is unique. “If one fails to keep up with it, time can become detrimental. We must not fall victim to misfortune but instead embrace the wealth of new knowledge,” he said.
Chief Minister Yogi expressed his joy at being part of the convocation ceremony, acknowledging the esteemed reputation of Allahabad University, which has produced energetic youth in every field of society. He noted that while time moves forward at a certain pace, those who fail to keep up with it risk being left behind, becoming followers rather than leaders. Despite the challenges faced by the university, Chief Minister Yogi expressed confidence that Allahabad University would soon regain its former glory.
The chief minister also touched upon the convocation sermon, describing it as not just an end, but the beginning of a new journey. He recalled that ancient India had demonstrated to the world the ideal model for higher education. The tradition of Indian rishis, who composed the Upanishads, has deeply influenced education in India, he added.
He referred to the Taittireeya Upanishad, which has been a guiding principle for students entering new life after education for thousands of years. The teachings of the Upanishad, such as ‘satyam vad, dharmam chara" (Speak the truth, follow righteousness), continue to resonate in our educational ethos. Chief Minister Yogi also referenced the wisdom of Lord Ved Vyas, who emphasised that wealth and desires could only be attained through adherence to the path of righteousness.
He emphasised that India has a broad understanding of religion. “According to the original text of the Indian Constitution, religion is defined as the flow of duty, morality and ethical values that guide the lives of individuals and society. Our philosophy teaches that religion is not limited to mere rituals practiced on specific days, but is instead the force that drives our cultural progress and paves the way for liberation in the afterlife,” he remarked.
He added: “Indian wisdom has never confined religion to narrow boundaries; instead, it has embraced everyone. Whenever humanity faces crises, India has always welcomed the world with open arms, offering shelter and protection without selfish motives. This is the essence of Sanatan Dharma and India’s enduring spirit.”
Turning his focus to opposition parties, Chief Minister Yogi questioned whether Indian wisdom views religion merely as a method of worship. He pointed out that November 26 marked the day when India adopted its Constitution, which came into force on January 26, 1950. The original Constitution did not include the words ‘secular’ or ‘socialist’, but these were later added when Parliament was dissolved and judicial powers were curtailed.
Attacking the opposition parties without naming them, Chief Minister Yogi accused them of first weakening the Constitution, attacking democracy, and then pretending to be its saviours.
Addressing the youth, the chief minister reflected on the power of young people throughout history, mentioning the contributions from Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha, Mahavir and numerous national revolutionaries. He highlighted the sacrifice of Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, who, before being hanged in Gorakhpur jail, did not ask for freedom or riches, but only wished for the end of the chains of slavery.
Chief Minister Yogi also noted that when Veer Savarkar was sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 28, and when Maharana Pratap fought the Battle of Haldighati at 27, they were young men determined to fight for their homeland. He also recalled the courage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who founded the Hindavi Empire in his youth, and the four Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were martyred for India’s religion at ages as young as 7, 9 and 11.
The chief minister launched a strong attack on the Samajwadi Party, urging the youth to decide who should be their role models. He criticised those who promote nepotism under the guise of socialism, asserting that such individuals can never serve as true role models. He recalled the words of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, who defined a true socialist as someone who can live without attachment to property or progeny. He questioned whether the current leaders could live by this principle, asking if their movement truly represented socialism. He also lamented the fading ideals of leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev and Dr Lohia.
Chief Minister Yogi reminded the youth that Dr Lohia was the one who initiated the Ramayana fairs in the country and emphasised the universal message of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who rose above caste, creed and religion. He urged the youth to reflect on the contributions of these great men of India.
The chief minister also stressed that Allahabad University must once again take the lead in nurturing an exceptional team of youth in every field. He suggested that universities should consider establishing a ‘Youth Parliament’ instead of traditional student unions, where representatives from each class could be elected, and these representatives would decide who should contest elections in subsequent years. This, he argued, would allow young leaders to emerge, who could guide society in various fields.
Addressing the advancements in science and technology, the chief minister pointed out the progress made since the early 1990s when protests arose against the computerisation of government banks. At that time, many feared that automation would lead to job losses, but in reality, computers made life easier. He noted that today, technologies like ATMs, e-offices, e-libraries, ChatGPT and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed society.
He emphasised that while technological progress offers immense potential, it is crucial to embrace it rather than resist it, as doing so would harm both the current generation and future ones. He added that knowledge and challenge go hand in hand — when knowledge is in the right hands, it can be used for good, but if misused, it can cause harm.
He concluded by stating that walking the path of truth and righteousness not only makes one knowledgeable but virtuous. A virtuous person, he said, inspires others to stay grounded in their humanity.
Chief Minister Yogi encouraged the students to expand their research on the diverse aspects of the Prayagraj Kumbh. He highlighted that the Kumbh or Magh Mela is not only a spiritual and religious event for Prayagraj but also has significant economic, employment and developmental impacts. Exploring these dimensions, he suggested, would offer a unique learning experience. He mentioned that universities worldwide conduct studies on the socio-economic effects of such events.
The chief minister also emphasised the inspiration drawn from the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, which, combined with the vibrant academic environment of the university, fuels the dedication of thousands of students who study here in preparation for competitive exams. He noted that the students’ success is determined by the mindset and determination with which they approach their studies.
Further, the chief minister stressed the importance of reconnecting with the university’s alumni. He suggested focusing on strengthening the tradition of alumni engagement, as it could significantly contribute to the university’s growth. He said, “This connection could help in the physical development of the university, create a positive atmosphere and accelerate its progress.”
He said Allahabad University was continually setting new standards of success. Chief Minister Yogi expressed the confidence that the university would re-establish itself as a premier centre of excellence for various academic disciplines, a hub for groundbreaking research, innovation, and a reflection of the public spirit it is known for.
On this occasion, Allahabad University Chancellor and Chairman of National Stock Exchange Ashish Kumar Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor Prof Sangeeta Srivastava, state Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’, Mayor Ganesh Kesharwani, MP Praveen Patel, MLA Siddharth Nath Singh, Harshvardhan Bajpai, newly elected MLA Deepak Patel, MLC Surendra Chaudhary, renowned poet Dr Kumar Vishwas and other dignitaries were present.
