Yogesh Singh0:01
First of all, I would like to congratulate my dear graduating students for your achievements and success. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University is lucky to have such bright, intelligent, and hardworking students. You are our pride, and please maintain this pride throughout your life. Congratulations once again.
Professor Mahesh Verma has rightly said that the university started from Kashmiri Gate in December 1998. And at that time we had a university act, a vice-chancellor, and one floor was given to us in the science block of Delhi College of Engineering. This journey started, a very humble journey, in December 1998.
So, one floor of the science block, but in 1999 June, the university started offering 20 UG PG programs and seven university schools of studies and 30 affiliated institutions. So, in last, like in five months, they could affiliate 30 affiliated institutions and seven university schools of studies. And now after 26 years, 18 schools of studies, eight centers, 106 affiliated institutions, more than one lakh students.
And today we are conferring 26,649 degrees, including 124 PhD degrees. This is a remarkable and outstanding journey of 26 years. Unprecedented, impressive, and unheard. Congratulations, Professor Mahesh Verma, sir, and his team for such distinguished and splendid work. It could not have been possible without your leadership, your vision for the university.
My dear graduating students, the knowledge, skills, and values that you have learned over these years will enable you to build your own lives, a successful career, and be a contributor in the growth of our country. More importantly, I am confident that you will contribute to making a better place for humanity.
Someone has rightly said, 'Your degree is just a piece of paper. Your education is seen in your behavior.' And the same thing Wasim Barelvi had said differently. That is why your conduct is very important.
My dear students, education is the most powerful tool for transformation and change. It is very effective for self-progression, family progression, society progression, and nation progression.
Now, India needs outstanding professionals. India needs 8 to 9% economic growth for the next 20 years to become a developed nation. It means this journey from a four trillion dollar economy to a 25 trillion dollar economy is not easy. But we have to achieve it. We have to become a player, captain, or a coach in this journey. Dear students, we cannot afford to be a spectator. We cannot afford to be complacent. This complacency will not help us. So, create your own career. Create your own contribution.
In the sankalp of the honorable Prime Minister that India will be a developed nation by 2047, and he has further said, 'Yahi samay hai, sahi samay hai.' That is why your role will be very, very important.
My dear graduating students, your objective should be to become a leader in your field or domain. This leadership is very, very important. You have to become a leader.
Charles Morris, a warrior, has rightly said, 'I am more afraid of an army of 100 sheep led by a lion than an army of 100 lions led by a sheep.' This is the role of leadership and a very, very key and significant attribute. Develop this skill of leadership.
We must remember that when the going gets tough, just do not worry and remember the statement of Martin Luther King Jr. He said, 'If you cannot fly, then run. If you cannot run, then walk. If you cannot walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving.' Keep moving in your life in the right direction. Direction is also important. Keep moving forward in life and hold your head high. Be confident to take initiatives and responsibilities.
Always remember: Khud majhdhar me hokar bhi jo auron ka sahil hota hai, Paramatma jimmedariyan usi ko deta hai jo nibhane ke kabil hota hai. To aap apni zindagi me unko nibhane ke kabil bane.
