CONVOCATION ADDRESS OF HON'BLE GOVERNOR, PUNJAB AND CHANCELLOR OF GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY AMRITSAR SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF CONVOCATION OF GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY AMRITSAR ON NOVEMBER 22, 2021

Vice Chancellor ? Prof. (Dr) Jaspal Singh Sandhu

Members of Senate and Syndicate

Deans and the faculty of the University

Principals of various Colleges

Dear graduating students

Invited guests and my dear friends

I am honoured join this august assembly today as the Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, to deliver my Convocation Address. GNDU is one of the top-ranking universities of North India. It is a privilege and a pleasure to address the graduates of the year and wish them all a bright and prosperous future.

I am sure, stalwarts in several walks of life, intellectuals of knowledge and experience; administrators of exceptional capabilities, being a part of your guiding force, must have left a special and indelible mark in your life.

The path to progress is illuminated by the lamp of education. Prosperity knocks the door when people in the society acquire the asset of education. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to say, "As long as I live, so long do I learn".

Universities, as the storehouses of knowledge and incubation centres for the envoys of wisdom and philanthropy, play a noticeable role in streamlining different systems and schools of thought, whether it is in philosophy or sociology, ethics or economics.

In addition, the universities also kindle and inculcate in their learners tolerance and persistence, conviction and self-reliance. The students learn to have faith in themselves and in others, and confidence in their essential capabilities to shoulder the responsibilities of life and challenges of living.

I am sure that in this esteemed institution you have learnt that the concern of every individual is not only to acquire the means for a decent living but also something higher and nobler than mere individual material advancement.

It is expected that an alliance of elementary education and higher along with technical education would help in attaining the aims of expansion, progression, advancement and distinction in education. It will not only improve the literacy ratio but will also become a means to add values of compliance, invention and modernisation in the society.

Higher education, in fact, has the premier potential to produce resourceful people capable of standing up by themselves. The most important yield of higher education is the creation of graduates, post-graduates and doctorates who would contribute towards the growth of society.

But, a university can grow successfully only when research and teaching merge together seamlessly. GNDU has ensured the development and progression of a collaborative environment conducive to learning, exposure to the best international practices and promotion of innovation and creativity. The university has emerged as a significant hub to impart education, training and entrepreneurial development skills to the youth, women and marginalized sections of society.

It is indeed commendable that due to the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor and the whole fraternity today this institution has become an organisation leading towards grander zeniths in academics as well as in sports. For its persistent efforts it has been conferred with the status of ?University with Potential for Excellence? by UGC and accredited with ?A++? grade by NAAC. It has also been granted ?Category One? status, and GNDU is the only university to earn this elite status in the regions of Punjab and Chandigarh.

The achievements of GNDU in the field of cultural activities and sports are also noteworthy. Winning the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, the highest Sports Award for a University in the country for a record number of 23 times speaks volumes about the achievements of university in the field of Sports.

When we talk about education, we are reminded of Swami Vivekananda who had repeatedly stressed that mere accumulation of information is not education but the transformation of character through enlightened wisdom engendered through education.

The National Education Policy 2020 has taken special care to incorporate the vision of Swami Vivekananda, places great emphasis on technical and vocational education, professional and skill oriented education, in order to educate youth to become self-reliant with dignity.

National Education Policy 2020 has also taken a huge step by liberating education from the shackles of compartmentalisation into science versus arts/humanities, making learning flexible, humanistic and oriented towards making educated youth noble citizens, good human beings.

In line with this, Guru Nanak Dev University has been empowering the students with excellent technical knowledge, skill, ability and is inculcating in them the right attitude and holistic values.

Needless to say, this is a moment of immense happiness and contentment in your life as this day scripts the accomplishment of one stage in your life and another is about to begin.

I am sure that the technical knowledge and expertise; the theoretical and practical skills and the values that your prestigious institution has imbibed in you will enable you to face the world with confidence and address the challenges.

I am pleased to note that during the Pandemic, Guru Nanak Dev University also efficiently undertook opportunity to build upon its resources and make well organised online learning for both teacher and taught. Since, you could acclimatize to the transformations swiftly, it shows that you are spirited, resolute and persevering.

What India needs today is incorruptible young men and women who will dedicate themselves to the service of the larger society through individual pursuits.

It is possible to rise above corrupt temptations when one develops frugal needs and sets self within the framework of dharma, which means way of good, cultured, sensible life in which respect for others & elders and also for the country?s history and tradition, are primary attributes.

I am sure; the young minds will ponder over this and mould their personalities in accordance with what Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached.

I am confident that you are stepping out of the precincts of Guru Nanak Dev University with the mission that you shall achieve success and touch the heights as you are sufficiently equipped to handle stupendous tasks. As you undertake a new phase in your life and career, I wish you all luck.

I, also wish Guru Nanak Dev University all the very best in the years ahead. I am sure that the University will set higher standards of distinction in the future and will impart education to the coming generations.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.