SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE 10th CONVOCATION OF BHARATI VIDYAPEETH

Pune, 12th October 2008

Dr. Patangrao Kadam, Chancellor of the Bharati Vidyapeeth,

Students and Faculty Members,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very happy to be in Pune, which is often referred to as the Oxford of the East, on account of its tradition of scholarship and because of the reputed educational institutions located here. The large student community also makes the cultural life of the city vibrant. I am pleased to address the 10th Convocation of the Bharati Vidyapeeth and to receive the Honoris Causa Doctor of Letters from this University.

It is creditable that after having begun its existence in 1964 in a small way, Bharati Vidyapeeth is today a Deemed University. Its growth has been ably guided by its founder and Chancellor, Dr. Patangrao Kadam. I am told that Bharati Vidyapeeth has a large educational network in the country with more than 140 educational institutions under its wings.

I have always maintained the view that schools, colleges and universities are where the future is given shape. Universities have a responsibility to nurture citizens who have knowledge, culture and values. They should be made citizens who think and contribute to the nation. They must have respect for human values, diversity of traditions, languages, culture and religions that exist in India and contribute to a more humane world. The strength of the fabric of society and the nation will be determined by the values and knowledge that is received here. Education is as much about learning as it is about character building.

Whenever I speak to the youth and the students, it is with great hope. India's young demographic profile shows and gives us an advantage in terms of manpower availability. They will carry the country forward to take its place as one of the fastest growing and the largest economies of the world. The variety and the kind of opportunities that exist today were unthinkable during my times when I was a student. The advances in science and technology have opened new areas of activities and new fields of knowledge. The youth must be equipped with the skills to grasp these opportunities. In academic institutions, you must focus on learning and reading as much as you can. As is said in Marathi . Your knowledge and learning will help you earn a livelihood and to achieve success in the world. Along with this, it is important at every step to see how your knowledge can be used for the welfare of society and to create a peaceful, prosperous and progressive nation. You must think of how to work selflessly for the country. How to strengthen the great traditions and values of Indian society, particularly, its pluralistic characteristics? How to serve the under-privileged sections of society? How to care for environment? Your contribution to these causes will result in building an equitable and inclusive society.

We need to look at balanced life in which we live in harmony with each other. The recent terrorist incidents and other incidents of violence against innocent people are an attack on the national ethos. We are a nation that prides itself for its adherence to the principles of tolerance and peace. We look at community and humanity and the entire human race as one large family. Terrorists only have an agenda of disruption and destruction. We cannot allow these misguided elements to pursue their divisive agenda. The violence of a few should not divert us from our path of growth and neither should it be allowed to dilute the basic tolerant character of our civilizational heritage, which is based on our faith in the capacity of the individual to carry out good deeds. I am reminded of the words of Gandhiji who said, "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." We have to change the mindsets of those harbouring the creed of violence and turn them towards the path of peace, amity and communal harmony. We must never forget that we are first and always Indians. Everyone of us should come together and jointly fight terrorism and see that communal harmony and unity amongst our people is kept intact. We have a duty to uphold the great traditions of the world's largest democratic nation, where all voices will be heard but violence will never be resorted to.

India is going through a unique phase in its history, a phase in which one is slowly witnessing many transformations. The motto of the University, "Social transformation through dynamic education", is very apt in respect of the many tasks ahead of us.

We can see change and transformation here in Pune itself. Over the past few years the economy of this city has undergone many changes. It is home to automobile manufactures, forging and engineering companies as well as the software industry. The explosion of knowledge and information is leading to the creation of new fields of study. The role of universities in today's knowledge based and technology driven world has immensely increased and, therefore, they must do well if the country's requirement for well-educated and well-trained personnel is to be met. This requirement assumes critical importance in this period of transformation.

This means that conventional course contents have to be adjusted and syllabi changed as well as libraries and laboratories upgraded. I am told that the management and faculty here is aware of the need to constantly update itself with the rapid changes in the educational scenario and would encourage you to continue this.

It is also important to spread the benefits of education to every girl and boy at the primary level and to every man and woman, seeking higher education. It is only then that we can have a strong base for sustainable growth. It is good that the 11th Five Year Plan while enunciating its 'inclusive growth' approach has given larger focus and financial allocation to higher education. It has appropriately identified, in the context of education, the triple objectives of expansion, inclusion and excellence. The education system as a whole and every constituent unit - that is every school, every college and every university must focus on how these objectives can be achieved.

We have to ensure that quality and caliber is of the highest level in our educational institutions. I am sure that the Bharati Vidyapeeth will gear itself to help produce the required human resources of the highest quality, by providing high standards of training and knowledge to its students.

There is much that students can do to help rid society of prejudices as well as discrimination against women and social evils by changing mindsets. We must also fight addiction to drugs, tobacco consumption and alcoholism, which have a debilitating effect on society. As students of a young and dynamic University based in a region of the country, which produced great social reformers in the 19th Century, you must take a leadership role. You can spend some of your time with the local community around Pune and try to understand issues and problems impacting their lives. Universities are institutions for public good and public welfare and fulfilling social responsibilities is a part of this mandate. Also Pune, with a large number of academic institutions, can become a research centre of excellence. I would call on Bharati Vidyapeeth to focus on developing innovative approaches and undertaking research. I am sure that the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor are capable of doing that.

My best wishes to all the professors and lecturers of this institution, who are the pillars of the education system. Their work has many dimensions. They provide the broad context of knowledge within which their students can understand the content of their more specific studies. They create the learning environment in which students are encouraged to think carefully and critically and express their thoughts. They must constantly monitor and reflect on the processes of teaching and understanding of their students and seek to improve them. Most difficult but important of all, they are constantly engaged in helping their students in achieving their aims and making learning an enjoyable process.

I wish success to the young graduates, who have just got their degrees and thank the Chancellor, Dr. Patangrao Kadam and the Vidyapeeth for conferring the doctorate Honoris Causa on me today.

Thank you.

Jai Hind