Gujarat Governor Stresses Moral Values as True Education at GTU Convocation
In a powerful address at the 15th convocation of Gujarat Technological University (GTU), Governor Acharya Devvrat delivered a profound message about the essence of true education. He asserted that if an educated person cannot understand the suffering of others, then such education is meaningless. The Governor emphasized that a truly educated individual is one who possesses moral values and sensitivity toward others' issues.
Swadeshi: Beyond Economics to Cultural Identity
The convocation was organized around the central theme of "Swadeshi," reflecting India's resolve for intellectual self-reliance, indigenous innovation, and socially-responsible education. Governor Devvrat elaborated on this concept, stating that Swadeshi means respect for our language, attire, culture, and for the nation itself. He highlighted that while Indians feel proud when children go abroad to study, they should remember that India has historically taught the world about culture and character.
"History is witness that we have never sent armies to conquer other people's lands, but have sent gurus to win the hearts of people through knowledge," he said, urging a move away from a mentality of slavery and toward pride in Indian heritage.
India's Economic Rise and Youth Power
Speaking about the country's development, the Governor noted that eleven years ago, India was ranked 11th economically worldwide, but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, it has become the fourth largest economy and is rapidly advancing toward third place. He linked this progress to the "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" mantra, emphasizing that despite material resources, mental peace is lacking today.
Devvrat praised Indian talent, mentioning that even in countries like America, only Indian professionals are excelling. He called on students to use their knowledge for the nation's upliftment, guided by Swadeshi principles to keep India at the global forefront.
Technology and Ethics in Education
Ashish Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange and Chancellor of Allahabad University, also addressed the gathering. He described technology as the main medium of social change and declared that it is India's time now. Chauhan stressed that success stems not just from advanced systems but from human capabilities based on transparency, discipline, and ethics.
Convocation Highlights and Student Engagement
The GTU convocation saw 36,935 students awarded degrees and diplomas, including:
- 25,021 degree holders
- 11,858 diploma recipients
- 56 post-graduate diploma awardees
- 70 doctoral degree awardees
Discipline-wise, the distribution was as follows:
- Engineering: 16,406 students
- Management: 3,539 students
- Pharmacy: 4,032 students
- Computer Applications: 885 students
- Applied Sciences: 118 students
- Architecture: 41 students
Additionally, 147 gold medals were awarded to meritorious students. In a special initiative, GTU invited 40 school students from Class V to VII of Ananda Global School, Vejalpur, to experience the convocation firsthand. This exposure motivated them toward higher education and long-term academic goals.
Philosophical Core of Swadeshi in Modern Education
GTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajul Gajjar explained that the Swadeshi theme served as the philosophical core of the convocation. It was articulated as a call to integrate Indian knowledge systems, indigenous technological solutions, ethical leadership, and community-oriented innovation into modern education. This approach aims to foster a generation that values both development and heritage, aligning with the Governor's vision of education rooted in empathy and cultural pride.
