Vice-President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, delivered a powerful address at the 9th convocation ceremony of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi on Monday, urging the young graduates to look beyond academic credentials and focus on building character and serving the nation.
A Call for Holistic Education and National Service
As the chief guest at the event, Radhakrishnan congratulated the graduating students and called upon them to dedicate their knowledge and skills to the service of the country. He emphasized that the true purpose of education is far greater than the mere acquisition of degrees. "Education must go beyond degrees to build character, strengthen intellect and empower individuals to stand on their own feet," he stated, recalling the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary.
Linking this vision to national goals, the Vice-President said that only through proper education and training can India's youth realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed nation, "Viksit Bharat @2047." He stressed that modern scientific advancement must grow in harmony with traditional Indian values.
Drawing from Civilisational Roots and Democratic Ethos
Radhakrishnan highlighted India's rich legacy of learning, citing ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila. He noted that Indian scriptures, from the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita to Kautilya's Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural, have always placed learning at the core of societal and ethical life.
Speaking at JNU, an institution known for its vibrant discourse, the Vice-President acknowledged that debate, discussion, dissent, and even confrontation are essential for a healthy democracy. However, he added a note of caution, stating that such processes must ultimately lead to a conclusive decision. Once a decision is taken, he emphasized the need for collective cooperation to ensure its smooth implementation and effective administration.
Praising JNU's Inclusive and Indic Initiatives
The Vice-President specifically appreciated JNU's "inclusive atmosphere" and its conscious efforts to promote equity and social inclusion in both student admissions and faculty recruitment. He commended the university leadership for expanding academic horizons into civilisational and emerging fields.
He lauded the establishment of new Centres for Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Studies at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies. Radhakrishnan also praised JNU's initiatives to promote Indian languages through the Special Centre for Tamil Studies and various chairs and programmes in Assamese, Odia, Marathi, and Kannada. He observed that "knowledge creation must flourish in mother tongues," aligning with the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP).
A Triad of Responsibilities for Graduates
In his concluding remarks, Vice-President Radhakrishnan outlined three core responsibilities for the graduating class:
- Intellectual honesty in the relentless pursuit of truth.
- Social inclusion to actively work towards reducing inequalities in society.
- Active contribution to national development.
He urged the students to remain guided by constitutional values and India's timeless civilisational ethos. He also reminded them to respect their parents and teachers, who laid the foundation for their journey.
The convocation ceremony was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, JNU Chancellor Kanwal Sibal, Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, along with senior officials, faculty members, and the graduating students.
