In a momentous event, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, honored the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir in Srinagar on October 11, 2023. During her address, she expressed her pride in the responsible youth of Kashmir and their potential to bring about positive change in society.
Smt Droupadi Murmu fervently urged the students of the University of Kashmir to actively engage in social service alongside their academic pursuits. She emphasized that this dual commitment could serve as a catalyst for social transformation and inspire others by setting a commendable example. The President also commended the alumni of the university for their contributions to the nation, which have brought honor to the institution.
“Reflecting on the university’s motto, ‘Let us move from darkness to light,’ President Murmu underscored the pivotal role of education and peace in the progress of the country. She stressed that as the youth of the nation gravitate toward the light of knowledge and peace, the country’s advancement is inevitable. The President noted that societies and nations, whose youth are dedicated to development and discipline, are on the path to prosperity and growth”.
President Smt Droupadi Murmu was pleased to highlight that 55 percent of the students at the University of Kashmir are girls. She expressed optimism that women and girls are poised to assume more significant leadership roles in the country. The President expressed her confidence in the revolutionary potential of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’ 2023, which can spearhead women-led development in India.
In her discourse on sustainable development, President Murmu acknowledged that the lessons of sustainability are ingrained in Kashmir’s heritage. She referenced a local saying, “There will be food only as long as there are forests,” to underscore the collective responsibility of preserving the natural beauty of this paradise on earth. The President urged Kashmir University to be vigilant in preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and applauded ongoing efforts in areas such as glaciology, biodiversity conservation, and the Himalayan Ice-Core Laboratory.
“Furthermore, the President discussed the importance of Indian Knowledge Systems in the National Education Policy. She emphasized that the youth could draw inspiration from ancient Indian knowledge and science, citing the remarkable historical example of hydraulic engineering used to protect Srinagar from the flood of Jhelum by an expert named Suyya over 1200 years ago. She asserted that India possesses invaluable treasures of knowledge and science across various fields, and it is the responsibility of the academic world to explore ways to adapt and utilize this organically grown knowledge for contemporary challenges”.
In her address at the 20th convocation of the University of Kashmir, President Smt Droupadi Murmu not only celebrated the potential of Kashmir’s youth but also emphasized the vital roles of education, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development in shaping the future of the nation.
