Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu emphasised that India should once again become a knowledge giver to the world. Recalling India's position as Vishwaguru and knowledge giver in the past, Naidu said with the passage of time we lost our moorings and heritage and some of us developed a colonial mindset. “We have to get back to our roots, take inspiration from our heritage and legacy and work for creating a strong, prosperous, harmonious and happy India,” Naidu said at the Convocation address of the Amity University last Friday.
A Press note issued by the V-P Secretariat mentioned that the ceremony was with a difference where Naidu was joined by his spouse Usha Naidu sitting among the audience and cheered as their granddaughter, Immani Sushma Choudhary received a degree and an award. Sushma Choudhary was conferred with “Shri Baljit Shastri Award for Best in Human and Traditional Values”. The award is given to students who display best in human and traditional values such as honesty, integrity, respect for others, caring attitude and respect for heritage and culture.
The Vice President said that he and Usha Naidu came to the convocation as grand-parents and guardians and not as the second citizen of India and spouse of the Vice President. During his brief address to the gathering, Naidu expressed his happiness over his granddaughter winning an award and said that he was there to enjoy the convocation ceremony.
Complimenting the visionary leadership of Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, the Founder President of Amity, the Vice President said that over the years Amity University with campuses in India and other countries has built a formidable reputation for itself as an academic center of excellence in multiple disciplines.
Describing the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 as a visionary document, Naidu suggested it would bring about a sea change in the educational scene in India. He urged colleges and universities to implement NEP in letter and spirit to make education a holistic, value-based, and liberating learning experience. Naidu urged students to dream high and soar higher working tirelessly to achieve their aspirations. "Knowledge not only in terms of enlightenment, but also providing wisdom," Naidu highlighted.