Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asked the universities in the country to reform, perform and transform in order to become centres of excellence.
Naidu, while addressing students and faculty of the Panjab University (PU) at its 67th convocation, stressed upon revisiting the curriculum and programme of learning in the context of 21st century so as to equip young people with necessary skills for their contribution towards the Nation.
He said, “Universities need to evolve and change according to the need of the changing times.”
“Today, we have broad consensus in the country about reforms. Reforms are the need of the hour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given three words advice — Reform, Perform and Transform. Transformation of the country is very much required. About 65 per cent of Indian population is below 35 years,” he said.
“We have demographic dividend. This younger generation should be shown a proper path, they should be given proper guidance and that is the duty of the universities, duty of institutions, all technical as well as other institutions,” said Naidu, who is also the chancellor of PU.
He also urged the youth for “will, skill and kill using the right means of communication that technology has provided” to facilitate social harmony and to cultivate a culture of healthy and civilised discussion on many of the pressing problems.
Stating that “every student must learn speaking and conversing in their mother tongue”, Naidu said, “I am not against any language. You can learn as many languages as you
can. I feel every State must make mother tongue mandatory for all.”
Naidu added, “Hindu is not a religion. Hindu is a culture. It is a way of life.”
He asked youngsters to not forget their culture, heritage and people who immensely contributed towards the society.
“I call upon youngsters to please remember the great culture, great heritage, great gurus who contributed to the society. Unfortunately, enough prominence and importance is not given to them,” Naidu said.
“There is also a greater social responsibility that youth has to shoulder. There is a need to exercise judgement while looking at social issues and be a part of the traditions of tolerance and respect that are characteristics of our pluralistic culture,” he said.
The Vice-President also exhorted students to aim high and work hard to excel in their lives.
Naidu also asked senate and syndicate of universities to focus on enhancing the standard of education.
Appreciating the move by PU to honour some of the outstanding Indian scientists, doctors, writers, educationists and leaders from industry, he pointed out that many illustrious leaders and makers of the nation in many fields have been associated with the university.
Stressing on the importance of each discipline in the field of Education, Naidu said that “the division between the areas of science and humanities is an artificial one and made for convenience sake.”
The Vice-President honoured several eminent personalities, including former CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar, and legendary athlete Milkha Singh, with awards at the convocation ceremony. Khehar and three other people were conferred the ‘Honoris Causa’ degrees. Naidu also conferred ‘Honoris Causa’ on renowned scientist and technologist Prof MM Sharma and physicist Prof Tejidner Singh Virdee here.
Besides, Khel Ratna was awarded to legendary athlete Milkha Singh, Gian Ratna was given to Prof B NGoswamy and Udyog Ratna was given to leading industrialist Sunil Kant Munjal. Speaking about Milkha Singh, Naidu said, “Even at this age, he is an inspiration for all of us.”
Shiv Nath Rai Kohli Memorial Mid Career Best Scientist award was given to Vandana Bhalla, assistant professor, department of chemistry, GNDU Amritsar in recognition of her contribution in the field of chemical sciences and Sanjay Jain, assistant professor, department of pharmaceutics, NIPER, Mohali in recognition of his contribution in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.
The award comprised a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and citation for researchers.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, VP Singh Badnore and Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki were also present at the event as guest of honours.