President Ram Nath Kovind addressing the IIT, Bhubaneswar’s 6th convocation held at its Argul campus on Sunday said bright technocrats who consider having their own venture out f their innovative ideas should avail the benefits of the Government of India schemes that encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
He urged the technocrats to do the enterprises so that they shall be creator of economic values and jobs in the society.
Congratulating the graduates, Kovind advised the students to aspire to achieve the best of their duties not only for themselves and their families, but also for society, for the nation and the world at large.
Kovind encouraging the graduating students said, “I am sure that the students would not hesitate in taking up worthy challenges in their careers.”
The President also congratulated the parents and their family members of the outgoing students and said, “While it is you who receive the medals, it your parents who feel proud of you and it is indeed a special moment for them.”
Recalling the mythological and historic importance of the Argul campus, Kovind said the location is not an ordinary place as it is believed that lord Rama visited this area and the Pandavas stayed here during their exile. 200 years ago, Buxi Jagabandhu had led the Paika rebellion here, he added.
Noticing the passing out students taking their pledge in Sanskrit, he said, “I have visited as many as 146 Central Universities since I became the President. But normally in most of the institutions, the graduating students take their pledge either in English or in the local language. However, here in IIT Bhubaneswar, for the first time, I saw that the outgoing students took their pledge in Sanskrit which is a good and promising trend.”
He said young IITs like IIT Bhubaneswar have several challenges that are to be overcome.
Kovind said the IIT Bhubaneswar’s BTech intake has doubled in past two years, which is highest intake in the second and third generations IITs. However, the institute should develop a strong network within its alumni and the former students should keep good contact with their alma mater for nourishing it further, the President added.
On the occasion, Kovind unveiled the plaques of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai- Indian Oil Odisha Campus, Bhubaneswar and Skill Development Institute (SDI), Bhubaneswar.
He said that the setting up of two new institutes (ICT-IOC) would offer a 5-year Integrated MTech and Executive MTech programmes. The campus would prove to be a centre of excellence for skill development and research. The SDI Bhubaneswar would be the country’s first institute in hydrocarbon sector, he added.
He complimented Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for extending cooperation for setting up these institutes in Bhubaneswar. Governor Dr SC Jamir, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Pradhan, IOCl Chairman Sanjiv Singh, IIT Bhubaneswar Board of Governors Pankaj Ramanbhai Patel and Director Prof RV Raja Kumar also spoke on the occasion.