SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL , AT THE THE SPECIAL CONVOCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LUCKNOW

Lucknow, 23rd September 2008

Dear Students and Faculty Members,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to be in Uttar Pradesh, one of the largest states of India that has a rich cultural heritage and in Lucknow a city of grace, culture and integration. I deem it an honour to address the Special Convocation of the University of Lucknow, a well known academic institution of higher learning, and to receive the Honoris Causa Doctor of Letters from this University.

I am told that University of Lucknow has about 38,000 students on campus and one lakh students in its affiliated colleges. This is a large number of young students. Their future, knowledge and values, will be shaped by the education that they receive here. I believe that the entire purpose of education is to prepare the youth to face the basic challenges of life, to become enlightened individuals in a society and responsible citizens of the country. I wish the young students of the University of Lucknow a bright and prosperous future. I would like to remind them that they are the inheritors of a great civilization, which at a very early time in history hosted renowned and reputed universities like Nalanda and Taxila. Through ages, India has been a land that has respected learning. It has believed in using knowledge for public good and for the higher goal of the welfare of humankind.

India consists of diverse regions, with people speaking different languages and following different religions, customs and traditions. Yet all of them came together under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and coalesced into the national movement for freedom and independence. Illustrious leaders, both men and women - many from Uttar Pradesh, as well as common people across the length and breadth of this country won India its independence. In inculcating this spirit of nationalism, during the freedom movement, Universities and educational institutions played a part. Universities have contributed significantly to the economic and social development of post-independent India. Today, also Universities have a significant role as institutions for new and innovating thinking. It is here that the youth can be enthused with a spirit of national unity and national development so that they are eager contributors to building a strong and modern India, through a process of inclusive growth.

Our nation is in a phase of transformation. It is one of the fastest growing economies of the world. India responded creatively to advances in electronics, communication and computer technology and has emerged as a major player in this field. We must strive to maintain our leadership. India's Business Process Outsourcing is a sector, which has steadily contributed to our economy and provided job opportunities for our young and educated. In the present age, knowledge is ahead of physical resources as a main driver of economic growth and the demand for skilled professionals have enhanced the importance of higher education. Universities will succeed if they instill in their students an ability to think critically and analytically.

As a society transforms, the education system must respond to change. It is only then that it will be relevant. A nation that is growing, requires a talented and well trained population to harness opportunities into visible and concrete results. With 54 crore youth, India has one of the largest young populations of the world. We have a responsibility to ensure that they receive proper education.

India's educational scenario faces the challenges of both quantity and quality. I am told that the National Knowledge Commission has stated that India requires 1,500 universities nationwide. Our current number falls far short. As we expand our education infrastructure, it is important that the quality of education is not compromised, if we are to be a leading nation of the world. Our Universities must compete with the best in the world. Quality education for all young people is essential to secure for them a better future. It constitutes an essential mechanism for combating social exclusion at the local, national and global levels. Universities must adopt a system for looking at the curriculum and changing it and amplifying it to include new fields of knowledge and to respond to national requirements.

The Founders of the Nation and those formulating various policies of education, have always emphasized the need for teaching basic science with practical applications to make India a modern industrialized country. India is committed to building and improving its infrastructure facilities and committed to bringing health, education and connectivity across the country. All these require a large corps of well-trained engineers and technologists. Technology carries with itself the immense power to bring about revolutionary changes. A sound base of research in India had led to the Green and White Revolutions in the country, which brought about far-reaching changes. Our scientists and researches must look at bringing in new revolutions for enhancing productivity on a sustainable basis. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in our research capacity. This trend needs to be reversed. Research facilities in our universities need to be reinforced. Universities must become centres of research and advanced research responding to the requirements of society and the various economic sectors such as agriculture and industry.

Practical ways to change the landscape of our villages and towns should be looked at. This requires a spirit of social service. We have to reach out and connect India physically, technologically and, need I say, emotionally! Speaking at other universities in India, I have called for a constant inter-face between students and the communities in which they live. I am happy to note that the University of Lucknow has provided extension services to the community.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the basic aims of universities is to make students ideal citizens. Values like tolerance, discipline and hard work are important now for a healthy university life and later for a fulfilling life. In fact, true democracy rests on these values and on the voluntary observation of the laws of the land. A mature society is based on respect for all, co-existence of different views and a caring approach towards the under-privileged sections of society. We have to rid society of prejudices, discrimination against women and social evils by changing mindsets. We must fight addiction to drugs, tobacco consumption and alcoholism, which have a debilitating effect. As students of an old and renowned University, you must take a leadership role in this.

Terrorism and communal hatred are the enemies of development, stability and a peaceful society. I would like to pay my tributes to Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, for his supreme sacrifice of life and to all our security and police personnel, who are engaged in fighting terrorism. It is the duty of every citizen of the country to cooperate in combating terrorism. We have to divest hatred from the minds of some of our misguided youth and bring them to the path of peace, amity and communal harmony.

The role of teachers is central in a university. We need more innovative, dynamic teachers in all areas with a multi-disciplinary approach. They must constantly update their knowledge base and their teaching methodologies. The Internet offers opportunities to keep pace with innovative practices. Professors and lecturers are judged by the alumni that they produce and the knowledge that they impart to their students. I am reminded here of a from this region:-

I conclude with best wishes to the management, faculty, and the students of this University.

Thank you,

Jai Hind

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