Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday presented awards to the winners of the 3rd Shri Arun Jaitley Memorial Debate at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi, and said questioning was an essential pillar of democracy.
“Without asking questions, there is no democracy. But questions should be asked wherever required, not to disrupt, but to develop,” he said while addressing the award ceremony.
Urging students to exercise independent judgement, Radhakrishnan said, “Before supporting anyone, you should ask whether it will be beneficial for society and the nation. If you have that mindset, India will become a developed country before 2047.”
Congratulating SRCC on completing 100 years, the Vice-President, who is also Chancellor of the University of Delhi, said a century was “not just a measure of time; it is a measure of character”.
He said institutions endured when they remained rooted in their values while continuously renewing themselves, responding to changing times and preparing for the future.
Describing former Union minister and SRCC alumnus Shri Arun Jaitley as a distinguished political leader, organiser and accomplished orator, Radhakrishnan said he represented a rare combination of legal acumen, political understanding, economic vision and exceptional communication skills.
“Democracy is not strengthened by avoiding disagreement. Democracy is strengthened when disagreement is engaged through reason, evidence, and dialogue,” he said.
Recalling his interactions with Jaitley during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Radhakrishnan highlighted his contribution to nation-building in several capacities, including as Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs.
He noted Jaitley’s role in major reforms, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, taxation and fiscal reforms, as well as measures aimed at strengthening India’s financial and economic architecture. He also highlighted Jaitley’s contribution to financial inclusion.
“What better tribute to this great person than a debate,” Radhakrishnan said, appreciating SRCC for commemorating its distinguished alumnus through an intellectual forum.
The Vice-President said democratic discourse required freedom of expression, respect for opposing viewpoints, evidence-based arguments and parliamentary conduct.
He appreciated the organisers for selecting contemporary issues for the debate, including the right to disconnect, universal basic income, employee representation in corporate governance and human capital for Viksit Bharat @2047.
Referring to the contemporary information environment shaped by social media, algorithms, instant reactions and short-form content, Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of reasoned and responsible public discourse.
He congratulated all participants and award winners, saying they had demonstrated “the value of intellectual engagement and the power of words”.
Urging students to “adapt constantly and learn continuously”, the Vice-President recalled how computers, once seen by many as a threat to jobs, eventually became a major driver of India’s growth in the information technology sector.
“AI is giving us challenges, but we can make AI challenges into opportunities,” he said.
Highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence to address challenges in a diverse country like India, Radhakrishnan referred to real-time language translation as a significant example.
He said the Rajya Sabha was working towards introducing AI-enabled translation in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
At the same time, he cautioned students, saying, “Never let algorithms become a substitute for your intellect. Human creativity can never be replaced by AI.”
Concluding his address, Radhakrishnan said the centenary of SRCC should remind everyone that “institutions become great when every generation leaves them greater than it found them”.
The Vice-President presented awards to the winners of the 3rd Shri Arun Jaitley Memorial Debate and commended all participants for their thoughtful arguments and engagement with contemporary issues. He also felicitated distinguished SRCC alumni for their achievements and contributions across various fields, describing their accomplishments as a reflection of the institution’s legacy of excellence and leadership.
University of Delhi Vice-Chancellor Prof Yogesh Singh, SRCC Governing Body Chairman Ajay S. Shriram, SRCC Principal Prof Simrit Kaur and Sangeeta Jaitley, spouse of late Shri Arun Jaitley, besides distinguished faculty members, alumni and students, were present at the event.
