Promoting Research, Innovation Key to Viksit Bharat by 2047: President Murmu

Addressing the 15th convocation of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here, Murmu said India has set a target of becoming a developed nation by 2047 and the role of youth will be crucial in achieving this objective.

She said the government of India is running several schemes to promote research, innovation and startup culture.

"The dream of a developed India will not be fulfilled merely by constructing tall buildings or a powerful economy, but by building a society in which the person standing on the last rung also has equality of opportunity and the facility to live a life of dignity," she added.

A total of 1,112 students were awarded degrees this year (722 graduates, 303 undergraduates and 78 postgraduates) across various disciplines.

In addition, one D-Litt, one honourary PhD, two gold and 16 silver medals were also conferred for outstanding academic excellence.

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar was also present on the occasion.

Murmu said engineers educated in institutions like NIT should play the role of nation-builders who make technological development a means for human welfare.

"The reputation of any higher education institution should not be based solely on their ranking or placements; rather, it should also be considered how that institution and its students are contributing to society and the nation," she added.

NIT should focus more on research and innovation so that India becomes a knowledge superpower, Murmu suggested.

She added, "Educational institutions are not merely centres for providing education and degrees, but also serve as major centers of research and �intellectual laboratories' of the nation."

She noted that while technological changes are creating new opportunities, they are also giving rise to new challenges.

"Technological advancements are bringing about transformations in education, agriculture, healthcare, communication, and energy production. However, the misuse of modern technologies is leading to an increase in cybercrime and environmental damage from e-waste," Murmu said.

The President said key stakeholders like NIT Jamshedpur should participate in controlling and mitigating the negative impacts of modern technologies on the general public and emphasised the need for a multi-stakeholder approach for sustainable development and effective waste management.

Due to government's efforts, traditional sectors, as well as non-traditional sectors like defence, space and atomic energy are providing opportunities for young people to establish enterprises, she said.

Earlier in the day, the President attended the 22nd Santali �Parsi Maha' (language day) and the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of the Santali language at Dishom Jaherthan courtyard in Karandih on the outskirts of Jamshedpur in East Singhbhum district.

While returning from NIT, Murmu stopped her convoy near Akashvani Chowk in Adityapur and met the people who were standing there for hours to catch a glimpse of the President, who had previosuly served as governor of Jharkhand.

The President arrived in Jharkhand on Sunday night on a three-day visit.

On Tuesday, she will visit Gumla to address 'Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh-Kartik Jatra' (interstate folk cultural gathering).