Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi as the chief guest and congratulated the graduating students, urging them to carry forward their dream of contributing to the country.
More than 3,000 students, including 587 PhD scholars, were conferred degrees at the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said he was pleased to be part of the occasion and told the graduates that, like their families, he was also proud of their achievements.
“The way your families are feeling proud today, I am also proud of you all. You are not just taking a degree, but taking forward the dream of doing something for the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister also presented IIT Delhi’s prestigious academic honours to meritorious students for their outstanding performance. The awards included the President’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal and Perfect Ten Gold Medal.
In a lighter moment, PM Modi noted the strong performance of female students and said, “If some daughters were meritorious students, then it would have been much better. Sorry, not just some but many.”
Reflecting on the students’ journey at IIT Delhi, PM Modi said they were likely thinking about different aspects of their future, including careers, salaries, new cities and start-ups.
“All of you are gathered here today, but there must be something going on in your hearts. Now, I am not Baba Bageshwar, but there must be something going on. Some must be thinking of their future, some about their salaries, some must be preparing for a new start in a new city, some must be thinking of start-ups,” he said.
“Everyone has a different path and dreams, but one feeling must be mutual — recalling the first day in IIT Delhi and today. You must be feeling satisfied by your journey from orientation to convocation… You all should cherish this moment,” the Prime Minister added.
PM Modi also urged the graduates to remember the role played by their friends, teachers and support staff during their time at the institute.
“Whenever life gives you a reason to look back, then this campus life, your friends, teachers and support staff — the ones who have become your families and home — you will remember all this and be thankful for everyone,” he said.
During the ceremony, PM Modi also virtually inaugurated ‘Param Pragya’, an artificial intelligence-powered high-performance supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat campus.
The facility is expected to strengthen the institute’s capabilities in artificial intelligence, data science, advanced computing and interdisciplinary research.
(IANS Inputs)
