Union Minister Sanjay Seth Calls on Management Graduates to Embrace National Duty
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth delivered a powerful address at the 16th convocation ceremony of Pune Institute of Business Management (PIBM) on Saturday, urging young management professionals to place the country above personal ambition. Speaking to the graduating batch of 2023–2025, Seth emphasized that India's demographic strength and economic momentum present unprecedented opportunities for the nation's youth.
Nation First: Drawing Inspiration from Soldiers
Seth specifically called on management graduates to adopt the discipline and dedication of soldiers while building their careers. "Young professionals must work with the same commitment with which soldiers serve the nation in the most demanding conditions," he declared, stressing the importance of the "nation first" principle. The minister noted that nearly 60 crore Indians are under 35 years old, describing this demographic as the driving force behind India's ambition to become a developed nation under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
India's Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Growth
The minister highlighted India's remarkable progress in digital infrastructure and governance systems. "Nearly Rs 56 lakh crore has been transferred directly to citizens through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism," Seth revealed, showcasing the scale of India's digital governance achievements. He also pointed to the explosive growth of India's startup ecosystem, which has expanded from around 1,000 startups a decade ago to more than 2.19 lakh today, generating employment for nearly 29 lakh people.
Convocation Ceremony Highlights and Dignitaries
The convocation ceremony marked the graduation of PIBM's 2023–2025 batch, with degrees and certificates conferred upon students in the presence of senior government officials, industry leaders, faculty members, and parents. The event began with a welcome address by Raman Preet, chairman and founder of PIBM, who reflected on the institute's journey since its establishment in 2007 and its focus on producing industry-ready management professionals.
Among the distinguished guests was Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary, who described the convocation as an important transition from academic learning to professional responsibility. He noted that PIBM has produced more than 16,000 graduates and has expanded its presence beyond Pune with campuses in Guwahati and Chandigarh.
Corporate Leaders Share Insights on Future Challenges
Several corporate leaders addressed the gathering, sharing valuable perspectives on leadership, emerging technologies, and workplace expectations:
- Grant Thornton Bharat partner Ankit Chugh advised graduates to view artificial intelligence as a professional tool rather than a threat
- Representatives from companies including BNY Mellon, CleverTap, KPMG, and Alvarez & Marsal spoke about the importance of purpose, resilience, and continuous learning
- A presentation highlighting the institute's academic milestones and alumni achievements was screened during the ceremony
During the ceremony, students took the convocation pledge, committing themselves to professional ethics and integrity before receiving their post-graduate diplomas. The event served as both a celebration of academic achievement and a call to action for India's next generation of business leaders to contribute meaningfully to the nation's development journey.
