SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF CONVOCATION OF PUNJABI UNIVERSITY PATIALA ON 28.02.2024 AT 11.50 AM.
- PRB
- 2024-02-28 14:10
40TH CONVOCATION OF PUNJABI UNIVERSITY, PATIALA ON FEBRUARY 28, 2024
It gives me immense pleasure to be here amongst you all on the occasion of the 40th Convocation of Punjabi University.
At the outset, I extend my heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all the graduates and recipients of Doctorate degrees and Gold Medals, on reaching the cherished milestone in your life.
Fortunate are you to have an opportunity to graduate from an institution which I have been told is spreading the light of knowledge since 1962.
Not all universities have the clarity of vision that is embodied in the mandate of Punjabi University. The founders of this institution knew that, the world after the Second World War, was rushing towards a reductive, simplistic idea of itself. That, several languages and cultures faced extinction, which would leave the world terribly poorer. They also understood that Punjabi culture, literature and language deserve to be cherished and honored as the heritage of humankind. I believe, this was the idea that inspired the foundation of Punjabi University.
It delights my heart to see that this University has not only lived up to the vision of its founders but has also deepened, extended and updated that vision.
In about 6 decades, Punjabi University has grown into a multi-disciplinary institution with over fifteen thousand students, more than a thousand teachers, 27 other campuses (including regional centres, neighbourhood campuses, and constituent colleges) and 274 affiliated colleges. The University imparts education in a vast breadth of disciplines including humanities, fine arts, sciences, management and engineering.
The alumni of Punjabi University have made and are making immense contribution to the fortunes of the state, the region, the country and the world.
My dear Young Friends,
There has been a Gurukul tradition of education in India. This tradition of education prepared the students for future life. There were three stages in this process of education- श्रवण, euu and निदिध्यासन
‘Shravan’ means receiving knowledge through all the senses.
‘Manan’ means the process of thinking and churning through the mind what has been heard.
‘Nididhyasana’ means applying the heard knowledge into one’s life, that is, giving it practical form.
After completing a certain period of attaining knowledge, the Acharya/Guru used to say to the disciple at the time of दीक्षांत or convocation, सत्यं वद धर्मं चर स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः (“Satyam Vad Dharm Char –Swadhyayanma Pramdah”) that is, after attaining knowledge, be determined to follow the path of truth in future life.
It is also said in Guruwani that सत्य सबसे ऊपर है यदि उससे भी ऊपर कुछ है तो वह है सत्य का आचरण; Truth is supreme, if there is anything higher than that, then it is, the following the path of truthfulness.
The basic goal of Indian education is character building and overall development of personality of the students. Great men like Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Madanmohan Malviya, Sister Nivedita have expressed so is their writings.
I believe, one of the biggest challenges facing the country and the world today is the “Crisis of character”.
Crisis of character is at the root of most of the problems. Today, there is a need to return to this basic goal of our education system. It is a matter of happiness that the National Education Policy – 2020 has given due recognition to it.
Gandhi Ji in 1925 in his weekly newspaper Young India, in an article highlighted Seven Social Sins.
Mahatma Gandhi Ji said that:-
Politics without principles,
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
And
Worship without sacrifice are Social Sins.
Actually, these concepts -- pleasure, knowledge and worship etc. are Abstract; they don’t inherently come with rules. But, Gandhi ji brings us to the baseline, reminding us that nothing is without its proper balance: wealth should be earned through work; pleasure may be enjoyed responsibly; science must regard the feelings & fate of individuals, and politics must be conducted with principle.
When values are not strongly held, people respond weakly to crisis which in turn threatens the social fabric. So, my young friends, adherence to values should be part and parcel of your lives.
I firmly believe the words of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore who said and I quote: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lightning of a fire” (Unquote). Acquiring mere specialized knowledge will not complete education, but the development of general ability for independent thinking and judgement should be given utmost importance.
The knowledge that you have acquired should not lead to a narrow and sectarian thinking but to a broad and empathetic understanding of life. The knowledge you gained in this University, should help you become a global citizen, with your roots firmly entrenched in our great soil.
India now has about one sixth of the global population. Anything that affects India will affect the rest of the world. Hundreds of years of colonial occupation had pushed our country into economic backwardness. Our people have long waited to be emancipated from poverty and underdevelopment. As young and well-educated graduates, the nation looks up to you, to lead the path to achieve sustainable development.
By the year 2047, we will be celebrating the centenary of our Independence from British colonialism. The period from now leading up to the country’s centenary year of Independence has been termed as the Amrit Kaal by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi. Our nation is looking forward to becoming a developed country by then. As young students, the responsibility lies on you to realize the vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047. You should make it your mission to see that our nation is developed on all fronts as an equitable and just society.
Recently, Hon’ble Prime Minister addressed the Vice Chancellors of Universities, Heads of Institutes and faculty members in ‘Viksit Bharat at 2047: Voice of Youth’ workshops organized at Raj Bhawans across the country.
The Prime Minister said that India is going to take a quantum leap in the period of Amrit Kaal and each and every moment of the Amrit Kaal should be utilized. The Prime Minister also said that “Yuva – Shakti is both the agent of change and also the beneficiaries of change.” Hence, I urge every student to become part of the policy strategy for building a developed India and to resolve to work with commitment and dedication to reach the goal of Viksit Bharat.
Love your country and be part of its growth story and development. As Swami Vivekananda said and I quote: “I always loved my country but after visiting foreign countries I started worshipping my country.” (Unquote)
As you leave the portals of this esteemed university, and carry with you the cherished memories of your student days, I advise you to believe in yourself and have utmost confidence in your knowledge and abilities.
Remember, doubt creates a mountain of hurdles but hope tunnels through mountains. As someone rightly said: “Life is not about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself.”
So, fine tune your technical skills with life skills and adapt yourselves to the changing world. One who is intelligent or strong may not be successful, but, one who is responsive and adaptive to changing times is sure to be successful.
Enjoy life, be joyful and blissful. At the same time, remain immensely aware of perpetual changes in the world around you and the new opportunities and possibilities they create, as learning is a lifelong process. American businessman and author Harvey Mackay once said and I quote; “A great accomplishment should not be the end of the road, just the starting point for the next leap forward”(unquote).
My dear young friends,
Achievements may fade, but memories remain etched. You will always be remembered for caring and for helping others, for making someone feel special. Kindness is a gift that everyone can afford to give. It is a way to make this world a better place to live in.
One of the mantras of Indian education has been “शिक्षार्थ आइए सेवार्थ जाइए” (“Come for education, go for service”). That is, “You came to the university to get education, that work has been completed. Use the knowledge you have acquired to serve the society and the nation.
I once again congratulate all the students who have received the degrees and medals today.
I wish you all a glorious, exemplary, meaningful, purposeful and promising future ahead.
Thank you,
Jai Hind.