Jaipur: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday voiced optimism about greater women's representation in legislatures, expressing hope that at least a few among the gold medallists at Rajasthan University's 35th convocation would one day sit in Parliament. Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, meanwhile, cautioned the young graduates against the rising instance of drug abuse among the youth.
Gold Medals and Women Achievers
Speaking at the convocation ceremony where 250 gold medals were awarded to 197 women and 53 men, Radhakrishnan underscored a strong female presence among top achievers. He said, "Your achievements are not just personal milestones but powerful statements of progress and possibility. I am hopeful that we will see a transformation in the composition of the Parliament and state legislatures also through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. A day is going to come in a Parliament also to be filled up with women MPs, maybe some of the gold medallists also who are sitting here."
Governor's Warning on Drug Abuse
Governor and RU Chancellor Haribhau Bagde struck a cautionary note on drug abuse, linking it to cross-border trafficking. "Drugs are being trafficked into India from Pakistan. As a result of this drug menace, India's youth are ageing prematurely — precisely the outcome that Pakistan desires," he said. Calling drugs a "destructive fire," Bagde stressed the urgent need to safeguard society and homes from the growing threat.
VP's Advice to Students
Radhakrishnan also urged students to think critically, act ethically and embrace lifelong learning, advising them to stay away from drugs and use social media responsibly. Deputy CM and higher education minister Prem Chand Bairwa paid tribute to B R Ambedkar and described education as the greatest power. Sharing Ambedkar's five guiding principles, Bairwa said success depends on patience, discipline, adaptability, honesty and patriotism.
Rajya Sabha MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal told students, "Your conduct should be your true identity. One must uphold the traditions of the university so that their conduct in society becomes a reflection of the institution's prestige."
Tamper-Proof, Tech-Enabled RU Degrees
Jaipur: Officials said this year's degrees meet enhanced security standards and are printed in high-quality four-colour format on special 243 GSM/350-micron synthetic, microporous, water-resistant paper for durability and long-term preservation. They feature a QR code-based digital verification system for instant online authentication linked to the university database. Each degree carries a unique serial number and variable data, along with multiple anti-forgery features including UV invisible ink, micro and reverse micro-printing, void pantographs that reveal "COPY" when photocopied, hidden and dual-hidden elements, invisible logos, anti-copy mechanisms, and correlation marks to prevent duplication.
NSUI Leaders Detained Ahead of Convocation
Jaipur: NSUI functionaries alleged that three members were detained by local police on Saturday morning ahead of the convocation ceremony while planning a peaceful protest. RU unit president Manish Meghvanshi said, "If raising a voice for the rights of students is a crime, then we are prepared to commit this crime time and again. Students who were preparing to stage a peaceful protest regarding their demands were detained citing the arrival of the Vice President. I, along with Ram Singh Samota and Neeraj Khichad, were detained."
