Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation

PM’s address at the Convocation of IIT, Guwahati

  • I am glad that today I am with you in this 22nd convocation of IIT Guwahati. Although Convocation is a special day in the life of any student, this time it is a different experience for the students who are a part of this convocation.
  • During the Pandemic, the form of the convocation has also changed a lot. If it was organized under normal conditions, today I would have been with you in person. But still, this day, this moment is equally important and equally valuable.
  • I congratulate all of you, my young friends! My best wishes to you all for your future endeavours! Friends, It is said that, ज्ञानम् विज्ञान सहितम् यत् ज्ञात्वा मोक्ष्यसे अशुभात्; that is, knowledge, including science, is the means to get rid of all the problems and sufferings.
  • This spirit, this energy to do something new for serving people has kept our country alive in this millennium-old journey. We are proud that our institutions like IITs are taking this idea forward today.
  • You all must be feeling that after coming here how much you have transformed; how much has your thinking process expanded! When you started your journey in IIT Guwahati, since then, you would have been seeing a new personality within you.
  • This is the most valuable gift of your professors to this institution. Friends, I believe clearly and firmly that the future of a nation depends upon what its youth are thinking today.
  • Your dreams are going to shape the reality of India. Therefore, this is the time to be ready for the future; this is the time to be fit for the future. As the economy and society is changing today, bringing modernity, the Indian science and technology landscape also needs to make many important changes.
  • I am glad that IIT Guwahati has already started with these efforts. I am told that IIT Guwahati is the first such IIT to introduce a two-year research programme on e-mobility.
  • I have also been informed that IIT Guwahati is also leading the integration of Science and Engineering in all B.Tech level programmes.
  • I am confident that these inter-disciplinary programmes will make our education all round and futuristic. And when an institution goes ahead with such a futuristic approach, its results are also visible in the present times.
  • IIT Guwahati has proved this by developing COVID-19 related kits, such as Viral Transport Media, viral RNA extraction kit and RT-PCR kits, during this pandemic.
  • By the way, I can understand very well how difficult it has been for you during this pandemic to conduct academic sessions and continue with your research work.
  • But still you have achieved this with great success. I congratulate you all for your efforts and contribution towards making the country self-reliant.
  • Friends, You are well aware of the great significance of our education system for a self-reliant India. In the past, you must have read and discussed a lot about the National Education Policy.
  • National Education Policy is only for our 21st century youth like you; the youth who will lead the world and will make India a global leader in science and technology.
  • Moreover, there are many such things included in this education policy which have been at the top of the wish list of students like you.
  • Friends, I believe that you must have realized in your Journey of Education that education and exams should not become a burden for our students; students should get more freedom to read their favourite subjects.
  • Therefore, the National Education Policy has been made multi-disciplinary; subjects have been given flexibility; and multiple entry and exit opportunities have been given.
  • And most importantly, the country’s New Education Policy will link education with technology, making technology an integral part of our students’ thinking.
  • That is, the students will not only study about technology, but will also study through technology. National Education Policy has opened up the path to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is used in education and online learning is increased.