SPEECH OF HON'BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF FIRST CONVOCATION OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY, BATHINDA ON APRIL 9, 2022

Good Moring Everybody,

It is a privilege and honour for me to deliver the first Convocation Address of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University. 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.

Friends,

Convocation is an important occasion marking a vital phase in the life of a student. My heartiest congratulations goes to all the graduating students.

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, in his convocation address at IIT Kharagpur in 1956 said – and I quote, "You will find in a country technologically developed, how Engineers and Scientists play a far more important role even outside their sphere of Engineering and Science". That is right, and is bound to happen in India. Our technological institutions are symbol of the progress and success of India in the field of technology.

Technologists are problem solvers who search for quicker, better and less expensive ways to meet tough challenges. Thus, technology graduates like you will play a pivotal role in understanding and furthering the relationship between science, technology and society for a better tomorrow.

On this momentous day when you are set out on your journey into the real world, I call upon each one of you to take a pledge to make the full use of technology for the benefit of mankind and to see that the use of technology spreads happiness, prosperity and general well-being amongst the people of this country.

Education in general, and technical education in particular, has always been seen as an instrument of transformation for economic, social and political development of the country. We have always emphasized the role of science and technology in solving the problems of society. I am reminded of what Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had said in 1966 in his Message to the Nation on the occasion of Independence Day, and I quote,

“Science and technology will help us to solve the problems of hunger and poverty, of disease and illiteracy, of superstition and deadening custom, of vast resources running to waste of a rich country inhabited by a poor people.” (unquote)

We have to effectively utilize the power of education, the strength of science and technology in the right direction to bring positive transformation in society. You, as graduates of this University, have the responsibility for ushering in societal transformation using the knowledge of science and technology which you have acquired.

Friends,

India today stands at the cusp of greatness. While there are challenges ahead, there are enormous opportunities as well. Science and technology is duly recognised as the vehicle to take India into the front ranks of the nations of the world. We have to build a large pool of scientific and technical manpower to aid our progress. We have a growing young population.

We are perhaps the largest young workforce in the world. This demographic transformation must be leveraged by us by expanding technical education in the country.

Swami Vivekananda said and I quote “Give me a hundred youth and I shall transform India”. As I made a mention earlier and I reiterate that India today has one of the youngest populations of the world. This huge asset if properly trained and deployed in the service of the people of India can bring about a major transformation.

Today I call upon you, the young technologists, that instead of looking for job opportunities, you may aim to become entrepreneurs, who create job opportunities for people. Through your start-ups and entrepreneurships you can create enterprises, which will create wealth for the nation, society and people. This will be your biggest contribution to inclusive and sustainable development of our country.

The government has initiated the "Start-up India, Stand up India" campaign to promote financing for start-ups and offer incentives to boost entrepreneurship and job creation. The success of this initiative will depend on how innovatively we can use the technology as well as human resources available in our country.

Knowledge and innovation are the keystones of progress. Competitive advantage can be derived from an eco-system conducive to new learning, research and innovation. Centers of higher education have a crucial role to play in this. I am sure that Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University will take a lead in creating an eco-system for entrepreneurship and innovation amongst its constituent colleges and I hope that setting up of innovation and incubation centres in on its radar.

As of now, the higher education sector does not have requisite "Quality Institutions" to meet the growing aspirations of our youth. Along with measures to increase quantity, the drive to enhance the "quality of education" should engage the attention of our policy makers. It is a matter of concern that for years at a stretch the list of top two hundred universities in the world did not contain a single Indian institution. However, there is some relief because as per QS top university ranking 2021, three Indian Institutes find mention in the top 200. But the past has not been like this for us. Ancient Indian universities like Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Somapura and Odantapuri had dominated the world higher education system for about eighteen hundred years beginning Sixth Century BC. The colossal Indian education system was marked by a high degree of efficiency before it declined in the Thirteenth Century AD with the collapse of Nalanda.

We have the capability to regain our lost position. But for that, necessary changes are required in the way our institutes are managed and education in them is delivered. A culture of excellence must be inculcated in them. Every university should nurture one or two departments that can be converted into a Centre of Excellence.

The Role of teachers in dispensing Quality Education is very important. The former President of India Dr. Abdul Kalam once narrated an interesting anecdote about the influence that teachers can have in shaping the future of the students. When referring to the contribution of his school teacher who kindled in him the passion for flying and aeronautics he wrote and I quote:

The teacher first taught the students about ‘How birds fly’ by sketches and explanations in the classroom. The students told the teacher that they did not understand the concept. The teacher then took the students to the Rameswaram seashore where dozens of seabirds were flying and said, ‘See how the birds flap their wings and change direction using their wings and tail. The locomotive force of the bird’s flight is its life energy’.

The understanding of science that was inculcated in the young Kalam by his teacher in a manner so as to satisfy his intellectual curiosity enabled the blossoming of the genius that was latent in him.

Besides encouraging the students to think, the goal of education should also be character building.

Mahatma Gandhi wrote an Article in Young India on 22nd October, 1925. In this he cautioned against knowledge without character as being one of the sins that can destroy a nation.

The others are:

Wealth without work;

Pleasure without conscience;

Commerce without morality;

Science without humanity;

Religion without sacrifice; and

Politics without principle.

Education in colleges should lay stress on inculcating moral values and a national spirit in the students. The teachers here have extensive knowledge about their subjects and enormous experience in various facets of life. Their skill, learning and experience provide them with the necessary capability to mould the student in a manner that is helpful to him, his family and to the society.

Friends, innovation is increasingly recognised as the currency of the future. It lends a competitive edge to business and provides solution for effective governance. It is, therefore, hardly surprising that Governments around the world are making a concerted effort to encourage innovation.

Our institutes of higher learning, especially IIT & Technical Universities should be the breeders of innovation activity. An encouraging eco-system comprising research fellowship, and inter-disciplinary and inter-university research cooperation should be encouraged for that.

Government has formulated the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy aimed at an innovation led development. This policy highlights the need to encourage and recognize innovators, including grass root innovators, who by their sheer brilliance have added value to processes for the benefit of the common man.

In a time of changing social and industrial needs, it is a welcome initiative that Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University is starting distance education courses, need based new degree courses and programs in order to lead from the front and to keep pace with the growth and development of science and technology.

In my view higher education institutes and universities need to be ‘Atmanirbhar (self-reliant). I urge institutes to encourage teachers and students to develop alternative pioneering apps, products and technologies through innovative ideas and research.

This will not only be a step towards the national goal of being ‘Atam Nirbhar Bharat’ but will also make the country a strong, resilient, and proud nation giving knowledge to the rest of the World for the benefit of the Universe.

Dear Graduands,

The Future of India would derive strength from three sources. Firstly from a value system based on Harmony, Tolerance and Selflessness; secondly from our Youth and; thirdly from Innovations and Inventions. Science and society have co-evolved and will continue to do so.

Looking back, it was one invention or another that triggered the movement of human beings from cave dwellers to village settlers and urban inhabitants. Since the Industrial Revolution, the pace of scientific and technological advancement has been tremendous.

But today, we seek responses to the challenges of food, water and energy security. This means addressing a wide spectrum of issues like food-grain productivity and its proper distribution, water and energy conservation, cleaning of rivers and water recycling, reducing the cost of renewable sources of energy like Solar and Wind. We are looking at construction of energy efficient buildings and low cost housing to provide shelter to those who either have no house or are in urban areas living in slums. We are looking for ways to combat existing and new diseases like COVID 19.

We are faced with climate change that is affecting the air we breathe and the weather patterns. Responses and solutions, to a large extent, lie in the domain of science and technology. These challenges are neither limited nor small and would need sustained research to find appropriate responses.

In India we have witnessed the marvels of the discoveries of science and technology in the development of the nation. The Green Revolution, for example, resulted in enhanced agricultural productivity. As we look towards the future, we need a second Green Revolution. We need engineering and management capabilities as we expand our infrastructure. We need environmentally friendly technologies. We need cutting edge technologies to be a leading nation.

Technology diffusion is another important aspect. It needs to be ensured that fruits of innovation reach as many people as possible. Inventions that have germinated in laboratories must be transmitted into the field to become agents of transformation.

Therefore, efforts should be to build collaborations with institutions in different sectors of industry, agriculture and services, which in turn, must also be forthcoming in supporting new ideas and discoveries.

Friends,

Punjab is a land of Great Guru Sahiban, Saints and Warriors. This is the land of bravery, courage, one that has given great leaders and visionaries.

This is the land of sacrifice: warriors' blood and farmers' sweat. This is a land of givers. The brave and hard-working farmers of Punjab brought the Green Revolution and made the country self-reliant in food grains. Punjab is also the land of the brave serving in Defense forces.

Your University is named after great emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who is popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab, or "Lion of Punjab". He was the leader of the Sikh Empire, who fought several wars to expel the Afghans in his teenage and was proclaimed as the "Maharaja of Punjab" at age of 21. Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign introduced Compulsory education for women, reforms, modernisation, investment into infrastructure and general prosperity.

I hope living upto its name Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University will provide a great boost to Technical Education.

Your University insignia indicates “Think Excellence, Live Excellence” or “Yoga Karmashu Kaushalam” or “Excellence through Perfection”. This inspires with the seminal guidance given by Sri Krishna to Arjuna in the Mahabharata. So aim high & work with dedication.

I once again congratulate the students who have become graduates today. You are not only a valuable asset for your profession but also the intellectual wealth of our nation. You are the product of an education system of a new nation born out of an old civilisation. You must fully understand the democratic ideals of our country. You must not only embrace the rights that are provided in our polity but also accept whole heartedly your responsibilities towards the nation.

Sharing some worldly wisdom with you, I advise you all, “never judge your success only in terms of material gains.” You don’t have to limit yourself by the pressures of conventional notions of success and societal pressures. You need to figure out what you really want to do in your life.

Choose to do what gives you satisfaction and meaningfulness. Do what takes you closer to your aspirations. Do what makes your families proud of you!

At the same time,

Remember that noble values of caring and sharing, of service and sacrifice has kept our society away from dangers of extinction and made it vivacious at all times. So, as you plan for yourself a fruitful and productive path ahead, in whatever manner you choose, please give back to society; help those who are marginalized and less fortunate.

I wish Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda all the very best in the years ahead. I am sure that the University will attain higher standards of distinction in the future and will continue to impart quality education to the coming generations.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.