Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday urged graduating students to embrace lifelong learning, innovation and adaptability, saying that education must go beyond examinations and marks to develop independent thinking, creativity and social responsibility.
Addressing the 11th Convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvarur, V-P Radhakrishnan congratulated the graduates and said a convocation was not merely a ceremony to confer degrees but a celebration of the transformative power of education and the dedication, perseverance and resilience of students.
He also acknowledged the contribution of parents and teachers, saying they had sacrificed their present-day comforts for the future of their children and students.
Highlighting Thiruvarur’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, the Vice President said the town, home to the Thyagaraja Temple, had for centuries been a centre of spirituality, scholarship and artistic excellence. He noted that the region had nurtured saints, scholars and the legendary Trinity of Carnatic music, observing that true greatness emerges when culture, learning and values flourish together.
V-P Radhakrishnan also highlighted the expansion of higher education in India over the past 12 years. He noted that women were increasingly achieving distinction in higher education and said it was common at convocation ceremonies across the country to see more women receiving degrees and medals than men.
“Knowledge alone is not sufficient; lifelong learning, innovation and adaptability are essential for the future,” he said, stressing that education should be assessed not merely through examinations or marks but through the ability to think independently, communicate effectively, work collaboratively and continue learning throughout life.
He appreciated CUTN for promoting multidisciplinary education, research, innovation and value-based learning.
Strong action against examination malpractice
Referring to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill recently passed by Parliament, the Vice President stressed the need to prevent unfair practices in examinations and protect honest students.
Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, V-P Radhakrishnan said a similar legislation had been passed by the Jharkhand Government during his tenure and that he had signed it immediately, enabling it to become law.
“Bad elements in society must be punished to protect the interests of good people,” he said, underlining the importance of strong measures to preserve the integrity and fairness of public examinations.
Youth urged to become innovators and leaders
Calling upon the graduating students to play an active role in India’s development, V-P Radhakrishnan urged them to “become creators rather than consumers of knowledge; innovators rather than imitators, and leaders rather than followers.”
He said India was working towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged young people to keep “Nation First – Rashtra Pratham” at the centre of their actions.
He called on graduates to use their knowledge, skills and leadership abilities for the country’s development and encouraged them to contribute meaningfully to society.
The Vice President also emphasised the need to tackle drug abuse and urged police and security agencies to take strict action against drug peddlers and those involved in spreading the menace.
He said drug abuse destroys individual lives and adversely affects families and society, making the protection of young people from substance abuse a collective responsibility. He reiterated his appeal to students to “Say No to Drugs” and encouraged them to persuade their friends to stay away from substance abuse.
Concluding his address, V-P Radhakrishnan wished the graduating students success, fulfilment, good health and the satisfaction of making a meaningful contribution to society.
1,103 graduates receive degrees
A total of 1,103 students received their degrees at the convocation, including 50 gold medallists who were recognised for academic excellence. Women accounted for 616 of the graduates and secured 37 of the 50 gold medals.
Governor of Tamil Nadu and Kerala Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Nagapattinam Lok Sabha MP V. Selvaraj, Chancellor Prof. G. Padmanabhan, Vice-Chancellor Senior Prof. Sulochana Shekhar, faculty members, parents and students attended the convocation.
