VP Radhakrishnan Urges Graduates To Be Creators, Innovators And Leaders
At Tiruvarur convocation, Vice-President stresses education, exam reforms, national development and fight against drugs
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Monday urged graduates of the Central University of Tamil Nadu, Tiruvarur, to become “creators rather than consumers of knowledge, innovators rather than imitators and leaders rather than followers”.
Addressing the 11th convocation of the university, Radhakrishnan said a convocation celebrated not just the awarding of degrees but also the transformative power of education and the dedication, perseverance and resilience of students.
He said education should not be measured merely through examinations and marks but by the ability to think independently, communicate effectively, work collaboratively and continue learning throughout life.
Radhakrishnan stressed the need for reforms in public examinations, saying strict measures were necessary to punish wrongdoers and protect honest students. Referring to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill recently passed by Parliament, he said preventing malpractice and safeguarding students' interests were of paramount importance.
Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, he said a similar legislation had been passed by the state government and he had signed it immediately, enabling it to become law.
He said India was working towards the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged young people to keep “Nation First – Rashtra Pratham” at the centre of their actions.
Radhakrishnan also called upon police and security agencies to take strict action against drug peddlers and those involved in spreading substance abuse. He urged students to “Say No to Drugs” and encourage their friends to stay away from drugs.
He appreciated the university's focus on multidisciplinary education, research, innovation and value-based learning.
A total of 1,103 graduates received their degrees, including 50 gold medallists. Women accounted for 616 graduates and secured 37 of the 50 gold medals.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Nagapattinam MP V. Selvaraj, Chancellor G. Padmanabhan, Vice-Chancellor Sulochana Shekhar and faculty members attended the convocation.
