Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2021, addressed the 18th Convocation of Tezpur University, Assam, through video conferencing.
Governor of Assam Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and the Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said today is a moment to remember and cherish for a lifetime for over ,200 students. He believed that what the students learnt at Tezpur University will accelerate the progress of Assam and the country. He said the sentiment contained in the university anthem which was written by Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika resonates with the great history of Tezpur. The Prime Minister quoted a few lines from the University Anthem
“अग्निगड़र स्थापत्य, कलियाभोमोरार सेतु निर्माण,
ज्ञान ज्योतिर्मय,
सेहि स्थानते बिराजिसे तेजपुर विश्वविद्यालय”
That is, Tezpur University is situated at a place where there is an architecture like Agnigad, where there is Kalia-Bhomora bridge, where there is a light of knowledge. He said eminent personalities like Bhupen Da, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha are identified with Tezpur.
Addressing the students, the Prime Minister said from now until the completion of 100 years of India’s independence, are also the golden years of your life. He urged them to spread the glory of Tezpur across India and all over the world, take Assam and North East to new heights of development. He asked the students to take full advantage of the possibilities created by the Government’s efforts at development of the North East especially in sectors like connectivity, education, and health, according to a PIB release.
The Prime Minister remarked that Tezpur University is also known for its Innovation Center. These Grassroots innovations are giving momentum to Vocal for Local and are being used to solve local problems opening new doors of development. He lauded the innovations of Tezpur University like low-cost technology to provide clean drinking water, pledge taken to convert Waste into Energy in every village, inexpensive and effective technology related to biogas and organic fertilizers, campaign to preserve the Biodiversity and Rich Heritage of North East, documentation the languages of the North East tribal society which are in danger of extinction, preservation of centuries-old wood-carved art at Batadrav Thana, Nagaon, digitisation of Assam’s books and papers written during colonial times.
The Prime Minister cited Tezpur University Campus itself as the reason for motivation to do work on so many local needs. Here the hostels are named after mountains and rivers in this region. He said these are not just names, but also inspiration for life. He said in the journey of life, we have to face many difficulties, many mountains and many rivers have to be crossed. He told the students that with every mountaineering your expertise grows and your perspective is ready for new challenges.
The PM said like several tributaries merge into one river and mix into the sea, we should also take knowledge from different people in life, learn, and achieve our goal and move forward with that learning. He said when one proceeds with this approach, North East will be able to contribute to the development of the country.
The Prime Minister talked of new technologies that are creating new possibilities. Talking about the possibility of future universities, which might be fully virtual providing students and faculty to be part of any university of the world, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for a regulatory framework for such transformation. He pointed out that the new National Education Policy is a step in this direction