SPEECH OF HONURABLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF SECOND CONVOCATION OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, BATHINDA ON OCTOBER 17, 2023
- PRB
- 2023-10-17 19:30
I am delighted to be here today at the second Convocation of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda.
This is a momentous occasion for the institution and for all of us here today.
I congratulate the Vice Chancellor, the Chairman, the Directors of various affiliated colleges, distinguished members of the board, faculty, staff and students for carving out for themselves a reputable place in a very short period of time.
MRS-PTU bears the name of the illustrious Maharaja Ranjit Singh, often referred to as the "Lion of Punjab." His reign was marked by progressive reforms, the introduction of education for women, and substantial economic prosperity. His legacy reminds us of the transformative power of education.
Education is indeed the most potent instrument at our disposal to bring about positive change in the world.
India has always been known to cherish the value of education. When the Panchatantra says, "स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा, विद्वान सर्वत्र पूज्यते" “the king is admired only in his kingdom but a knowledgeable person is respected and welcomed everywhere,” it exhorts us to remember our tradition of respect for learning.
As you all are aware, India was once known as Vishwaguru with the world’s best centres of learning like Takshashila, Pushpagiri and Nalanda attracting scores of knowledge-seekers from different corners of the globe.
Dear students and teachers,
The time has come for India to once again emerge as a global hub of learning.
We must not rest on our past achievements. We must build on our strengths and raise the bar. All round excellence and the ability lead the global agendas must be our aim.
I have high hopes that Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University will significantly contribute to technical education. My full support is with the university in providing quality technical education and nurturing employable technical professionals.
Technical education plays a pivotal role in the human resource development of our nation, enhancing industrial productivity and improving the quality of life for our people.
There is an urgent need to foster excellence in academic research and skill development. Technical education holds the promise of national growth by preparing a skilled workforce required by the modern world and by fostering entrepreneurship in close collaboration with industry partners.
Today, we are confronting pressing challenges in food security, water conservation, clean energy, and climate change. Science and technology are central to addressing these challenges. India's rich history includes achievements like the Green Revolution, and we must aim for a second Green Revolution.
As our infrastructure expands, we require engineering and management capabilities. Environmental friendly technologies and cutting-edge innovations are paramount to our nation's growth. Our institutions, research centers, and laboratories should focus on research tailored to our nation's unique conditions and needs, creating an environment conducive to this purpose.
Furthermore, science has evolved into an interdisciplinary and globally interconnected field, necessitating multi-institutional and cross-border collaborations. Institutes like yours should establish robust mechanisms for partnering with other institutions.
Promoting the diffusion of technology is another vital aspect of your work, ensuring that innovative solutions reach as many people as possible.
Inventions born in laboratories must translate into real-world transformation.
We must remember that we are integral parts of society. Our well-being is intricately linked to the welfare of society. A scientist or an engineer who embodies values such as integrity and social conscience contributes immeasurably to society. It is in giving back to society that we fulfill our duty to others.
My dear young friends
Graduation is an important stepping stone in your life. All of you have worked hard to reach this stage today. I am sure you are eager and excited to contribute to the world and bring about change in the lives of the people.
As you venture into the world, take a SANKALP that you will return to the society what you can.
India’s vision is of deep humanism. We should not allow this vision to be blurred by clouds of misconception or blinkered narrow perspectives.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in one of his exquisite poems emphasizes essential human values that constitute the Indian ethos. He had said:
“Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God. First, fill your own house with the fragrance of Love and Kindness.
Go not to the temple to light candles before the altar of God. First, remove the darkness of sin, pride and ego, from your heart.
Go not to the temple to bow down your head in prayer. First, learn to bow in humility before you fellowmen. And apologize to those you have wronged.
Go not to temple to pray on bended knees. First, bend down to lift someone who is down-trodden. And strengthen the young ones. Not crush them.
Go not to the temple to ask for forgiveness for your sins. First, forgive from your heart those who have hurt you!”
This attitude is what makes India unique. Celebrate this sense of fellow being.
Today, I would make an appeal to you -- Don’t allow your mind to be a parking place for your thoughts; never hesitate to execute an Idea only for the fear of failing. Fear of Failure is a fear only in your mind.
If efforts are not succeeded in the first instance, it is not a failure but it is an attempt. No historical milestones have been achieved in the first attempt, keep on trying and I am sure your future will be filled with boundless growth and enduring achievement.
Science and technology is all about taking risks and failing. One must take enough time to think, experiment, fail, rework, re-calculate and try again, until one achieves a breakthrough. You all know, Thomas Edison failed 1000 times before inventing the light bulb.
Same is with entrepreneurship. You cannot expect to achieve profits in your first start up project. You have to keep applying yourself, keep improvising your models, keep accounting for the dynamic environment that you are all in, and then eventually break even and finally make profits.
My dear students, achieving education from good institutions like yours should enable you to be risk takers and innovation makers.
Towards the end, I exhort you to remember the following mantras: -
- You are not defined by your failure, rather you are empowered by them.
- Learning is a lifelong process. It does not stop with you getting your degrees. Rather, it starts now since strong foundations have been laid.
- There is nothing you cannot do, if you really want to. Too often, many of us live with more awareness of our limitations than our potential. That has to change. You need to know that you are capable of anything you set your mind to. The only limitations are the ones that you choose to place on yourself.
- One of the world's greatest humanitarians Mother Teresa had cautioned us, "We can do no Great Things, only Small Things with Great Love." Tackling too much at one time is a recipe for disaster. So start small; begin at the beginning and make a great change one step at a time.
- Last but not the least, you are not alone. Sometimes, students carry the weight of the world on themselves. It's easy for them to feel like no one has ever felt the way they do, and never can. Nevertheless, I wish to tell you on behalf of your teachers and parents that empathy and understanding are within arm's reach. All you have to do is communicate. Do not isolate yourself when you are in any kind of problem. We are always going to be around you, extending our help.
With these words, I extend my best wishes to you in the years to come.
Congratulations to all of you on achieving a major milestone in your life and career. I am sure you are capable of building a very bright future for yourself and for the country. The future belongs to you.
To conclude my address, I will invoke some immortal lines from Maha Kavi Subramania Bharati which are quoted very often because they always infuse new inspiration.
They can be interpreted as:
“We will learn both scripture and science
We will explore both heavens and oceans
We will unravel the mysteries of the moon
And we will sweep our streets clean too”.
Do well in your careers, make your Alma Mater proud, and value with humility the privilege of your education. I bless you all.
Thank you.
Jai Hind!