C. P. Radhakrishnan Addresses the 20th Convocation of NIT Kurukshetra

 C. P. Radhakrishnan, graced the 20th Convocation Ceremony of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, Haryana today as the Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-President expressed his privilege in joining the milestone event of one of India’s premier technical institutions. He hailed NIT Kurukshetra as an institution with a rich legacy, a vibrant present, and a future that continues to shape the standards of technical education in the country.

He said that Kurukshetra is a holy land that reminds us that dharma will always triumph over adharma, however powerful the latter may seem.

The Vice-President noted that a convocation is not merely a ceremony but a moment when years of dedication transform into a new beginning filled with pride, hope, and opportunity.

Highlighting the pace of global transformation, he spoke about developments in artificial intelligence, renewable energy systems, space technology, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and semiconductors.

He stressed that technology has become a powerful enabler reshaping industries and redefining the way society functions. He urged students to innovate responsibly, stating that “the true purpose of technology is not progress alone, but progress with purpose.”

Encouraging students to delve deeper into research, innovation, and India-specific problem-solving, he said that these are the twin engines that will drive India’s technological leadership. He emphasized the need for young innovators to explore emerging areas of national importance such as sustainable manufacturing, smart mobility, quantum technologies, healthcare technologies, agricultural innovation, and green infrastructure.

The Vice-President observed that India is transitioning from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global creator of advanced solutions. He credited initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and Make in India for nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and urged graduates to convert their ideas into enterprises that create jobs and contribute to national growth.

Acknowledging contemporary global challenges — climate change, cybersecurity threats, equitable access to technology, and the ethical use of AI — he said that these also offer immense opportunities for innovation and leadership. He praised the foresight of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP)–2020, which provides avenues for multidisciplinary learning and is deeply rooted in India’s culture, heritage, and ethos. The Vice-President noted that NEP 2020 has placed India on a transformative path by breaking away from the colonial imprint of the Macaulay education system, which, he said, was introduced to rule India and produced only clerks.

Appreciating the Institute’s focus on holistic learning, he lauded the establishment of the Centre for Holistic Personality Development (CHPD), which promotes intellectual, emotional, and ethical growth through courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Universal Human Values, cognitive science, and mental health.

Describing the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Vice-President expressed confidence that graduates of NIT Kurukshetra will play a key role in realizing this goal. He noted with appreciation that the Institute has been awarded 64 patents so far, reflecting its strong culture of research, innovation, and intellectual property creation.

He commended the Institute’s significant contributions to advanced technologies in AI-based warfare, defence research, and space missions such as Chandrayaan and the Mars Orbiter Mission through collaborations with DRDO and ISRO. He also appreciated the Institute’s efforts toward Atma Nirbhar Bharat through research on low-cost, indigenous technologies aimed at improving lives in villages and slums.

Urging students to stay connected to India’s development journey, he said that research should help bridge the urban–rural divide, empower MSMEs, modernize agriculture, and support rural economies so that technology reaches the last person. “We must move from brain drain to brain gain,” he said, encouraging graduates to carry India in their hearts wherever they go.

Expressing his aspirations for India’s youth, he stated, “I believe that the next Google, the next Tesla, the next SpaceX must emerge from India — from institutions like NIT Kurukshetra.”

The Vice-President also appealed to students to lead a disciplined life by saying “No to Drugs”.

Concluding his address, he reminded the graduates that their degree is not an endpoint but the beginning of a new responsibility. He urged them to serve society with creativity, humility, and compassion.

Governor of Haryana, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Director NIT Kurukshetra, Prof. B.V. Ramana Reddy, Chairperson ,Board of Governors, NIT Kurukshetra, Dr. Tejaswini Anantha Kumar, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.