V-P Radhakrishnan asks JNU graduates to boost nation-building
New Delhi, Jan 12
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Monday, urged fresh Jawaharlal Nehru University graduates to dedicate their knowledge and skills to nation-building.
Addressing the ninth Convocation of JNU, V-P Radhakrishnan emphasised that education and proper training alone would enable India's youth to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047.
He recalled the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary and stressed education must go beyond degrees to build character, strengthen intellect and empower individuals to stand on their own feet.
The Vice-President urged graduates to uphold three core responsibilities -- intellectual honesty in the pursuit of truth, social inclusion to reduce inequalities, and active contribution to national development.
He called upon them to remain guided by constitutional values and India's civilisational ethos, and to always respect their parents and teachers.
Highlighting India's civilisational tradition of knowledge, Vice-President Radhakrishnan referred to ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda and Takshashila and noted that Indian scriptures and classics, from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita to Kautilya's Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural, have consistently placed learning at the centre of societal and ethical life.
He underlined that true education shapes conduct and character, and is not limited to the acquisition of degrees.
The Vice-President stressed that modern science and traditional values must grow together.
Referring to the democratic ethos of JNU, V-P Radhakrishnan said debate, discussion, dissent and even confrontation are essential elements of a healthy democracy.
However, he added that such processes must ultimately lead to a conclusion.
Once a decision is taken, he emphasised, there must be a collective willingness to cooperate in its implementation to ensure smooth and effective administration.
The Vice-President appreciated the inclusive atmosphere of JNU and the efforts by the University to promote equity and social inclusion in both student admissions and faculty recruitment.
He also commended the leadership of the university for expanding its academic engagement into emerging and civilisational fields, including the establishment of new Centres for Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Studies at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies.
He also appreciated JNU's sustained efforts to promote Indian languages through initiatives such as the Special Centre for Tamil Studies and chairs and programmes in Assamese, Odia, Marathi and Kannada, saying that knowledge creation must flourish in mother tongues in line with the spirit of the National Education Policy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I agree with the spirit of the speech, I hope this call for "nation-building" is inclusive of all critical voices, especially from campuses like JNU. Debate and dissent are indeed essential, but the line about processes needing a "conclusion" feels a bit concerning. A healthy democracy allows for ongoing dialogue.
Viksit Bharat 2047 needs every educated youth to step up. Good to see the emphasis on intellectual honesty and social inclusion. JNU produces brilliant minds; if they channel their energy into constructive development, India will benefit immensely. The focus on Indian languages is also very welcome!
As someone who studied in India for a year, I find this blend of modern goals and ancient wisdom fascinating. The idea that "true education shapes conduct" is universal, but rooting it in texts like the Gita and Thirukkural gives it a powerful local context. Best wishes to the graduating class!
Respecting parents and teachers, upholding constitutional values... these are the bedrock. Glad he mentioned the new centres for Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist studies. Our civilisational knowledge needs institutional support, not just talk. A balanced speech overall. Jai Hind!
The part about education going beyond degrees really hit home. So many of us are just degree collectors. Building character and intellect to stand on our own feet – that's the real challenge. Hope the graduates take this to heart. All the best to them!
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