Address by the Hon'ble President of India Ram Nath Kovind at the 5th Annual Convocation of IIM Jammu

It is a pleasure to be with you all, as this convocation is a landmark event in the lives of the bright young students who have earned their degrees and medals today. I congratulate the students for their achievements. I also congratulate the parents and teachers who have toiled hard to witness this day which is so important in the lives of these young students.

I attach great importance to this event, as it is directly related to the future of our talented youth and thereby, to the future of India. Only yesterday, I interacted with many Vice-Chancellors of Central Universities and Directors of ‘Institutions of National Importance’ in the presence of the Union Minister of Education and experts of higher education who are responsible for implementing the National Education Policy 2020 and other related measures. The occasion was the Visitor’s Conference held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Education is the greatest enabler. The future of our country depends on good education of our young population. Therefore, I try not to miss any opportunity that is related to promotion of education. I remember having participated, in virtual mode, at the ‘Conference on Implementation of the National Education Policy in Jammu and Kashmir’ in September, 2020. When the Lt. Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha Ji requested me to participate in that conference, I had happily agreed. Many of you may be aware of the fact that the Lt. Governor came into the field of public service with an illustrious academic career as an engineering student from IIT, BHU. On a lighter note, the Lt. Governor is also described as a dhoti-wearing IITian by his friendly associates. I appreciate his efforts for improvement of education in Jammu and Kashmir. Coming from this region, Dr. Jitendra Singh has been closely involved with the overall development of Jammu and Kashmir, along with his responsibilities in the Central Government. The presence of Dr. Milind Kamble here, who is also the Founder Chairman of Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry or DICCI, is a good example of convergence between academia and industry. I appreciate the team of IIM Jammu, led by its Director, for taking the institute forward in line with the educational objectives of the nation.