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10 must-reads from
convocation speeches by
Shri Narendra Modi
Compiled by
Roshni Agarwal Bawari

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Introduction
1. The history of convocation
2. The Students’ Life
3. The role of institutions & universities
4. The case of Eklavya – the perfect disciple!
5. Learning – a lifelong process, the DNA of life!
6. Fearlessness and Decisiveness –
the strengths of youth!
7. The power of Youth
8. Innovations – to solve the crises of the World!
9. India – the youthful country
10. The development of education in Gujarat
Contents

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Introduction

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Shri Narendra Modi has been a profound supporter of education and has taken education in Gujarat to new heights. However busy he may be, he makes sure he takes time out from his busy schedule to inspire youth with his thoughts whenever he is invited to a convocation ceremony; as for Shri Narendra Modi, a convocation ceremony is an initiation ceremony of a student in a new world of challenges, decision-making and reality!
‘10 must-reads from convocation speeches by Shri Narendra Modi’ is an e-book with a compilation of excerpts from his most inspiring speeches delivered at convocation ceremonies of various universities and institutions in Gujarat. In his speeches, he has spoken on various issues such as history of convocation ceremony as mentioned in Taittiriya Upanishad, his belief in the power of youth, Gujarat’s initiatives to empower youth with holistic education, and much more.

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(Speech Reference: List of Shri Narendra Modi’s speeches at various convocation ceremonies )
• 1st Convocation Ceremony of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (May 28, 2009)
• 42nd Annual Convocation Ceremony of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (Feb 26, 2011)
• 46th convocation Ceremony of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIMA) (March 27, 2011)
• 2nd Convocation Ceremony of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (Sept 27, 2011)
• 3rd Convocation Ceremony of Gujarat National Law University ( Jan 21, 2012)
• 34th Convocation Ceremony of Veer Narmad Varsity (Feb 26, 2012)
• 43rd Annual Convocation Ceremony of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (Feb 27, 2012)

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The
history
of convocation
1

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In our culture Diksha is accorded even greater importance than Shiksha (education). Our education is deemed incomplete without this initiation ceremony. The first mention of Diksha dates back to the Taittiriya Upanishad. In our traditional Gurukul system, the educators took lot of tests and examinations even after the formal education process was completed. As part of their day to day activities, they were made to take instant decisions, perform according to the knowledge imparted to them while the students remained unaware that they were being tested and evaluated. The studentas were observed very minutely and it was only when the educator was convinced that the student had passed the tests that they were conferred the degree and allowed to venture into other stages of life. The student years are the best times in anybody’s life. Once we receive our degree, there is a sense of happiness but at the same time there come lots of responsibilities.

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There’s a brilliant address in the Taittiriya Upanishad, in which the Guru delivers the convocation speech to students who were leaving the Gurukul and entering the outside world, a world full of struggle and challenges. The students of the Gurukul were given key ideas on how they should live their lives dedicated to their culture consistent with what has been taught to them as the goal and way of life. In the convocation address the Guru emphasizes on the following qualities.
1. The practice of what is right and proper as indicated in the scriptures (ritam);
2. Living up to the ideals that have been intellectually comprehended during the studies (satyam);
3. A spirit of self-sacrifice and self-denial (tapas);
4. Control of the senses (dama);
5. Tranquility of the mind (sama);
6. Maintenance of a charitable and ready kitchen at home in the service of all deserving hungry fellow beings (agni);
7. Practice of concentration and ritualism through fire worship as was in vogue in the society during those days; and
8. Doing one’s duty towards humanity, towards one’s children and grandchildren and towards the society.

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Continuing the ‘Convocation Address’, the teacher says: having taught the Vedas, the preceptor enjoins the pupil: “Speak the truth, do your duty, never swerve from the study of the Vedas; do not cut off the line of descendants in your family. Never deviate from the truth, never fail in your duty, never overlook your own welfare, never neglect your prosperity and study”.
Watch: Shri Narendra Modi at 34th Convocation of Veer Narmad Varsity -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5FRaRIod-M&feature=player_embedded

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The
Students’
Life
2

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Friends, the student years are the best stage in anybody’s life. There is someone or the other who holds our fingers, helps us navigate the path ahead; if we miss the path there is always someone to guide us. When the going gets tough there is always someone who gives us assurances that things will be fine again. This is a stage when we get help from someone or the other, be it our teachers or faculty members and we are in a protected environment. But it is after getting the degree that the real trials and tribulations of life start. There aren’t many people to guide us and we have to choose our own paths. It’s not difficult to set our targets but it is difficult to get through the way to them.
Today the mantra for success is how best you can utilize your wisdom gained through the continuous process of learning. Only two things can lead one to achieve real success

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in life and that is by inculcating human values and learning to live in amity with others. Education after all cannot be an end to itself; it is a means and a student must apply his knowledge for betterment of self, community and the country. To be able to do this the student should first learn the importance of humility.
It would be incomplete if I fail to say something about what life means outside the portals of colleges and universities. There is a vast difference between learning from books in a protected environment of our universities and experiencing the real world outside. For those who are now at the threshold of a new dawn, this day when you will venture out into a world full of challenges is an important and exciting one. Facing a tough life outside needs both a vision and purpose in life.
It is not my intention to scare you when I say the world outside is a ‘big, bad, world’. The world is only as big or as bad as you make it out to be. Yes, there are difficulties but none that you won’t be able to surmount; yes, there are obstacles but none that you cannot overcome.
The greatest quality that a person can possess is the quality of self-belief. If you believe you can, you can. If you believe you won’t, you most certainly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad, for defeat is not the worst of failures, not to have tried is the true failure.

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The memories of student life are a treasure forever. These memories come of great use when your children are enrolled in some university or the other. You can advice them as per your experiences so that the children hear things their parents did while they were getting university education. And it is necessary that you take important values of life with you. Take such memories with you that will give strength, new pace and opportunity to scale new heights.

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The role of Institutions & Universities
3

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What is the aim of university education? A good education should help students pose the question “what is it to be human?” in relation to his or her highest aspirations as opposed to the common needs and become aware that the answer is neither obvious nor simple. Each one of you should be able to ask the question “what should life mean to me?” Life has no proper meaning. You have to create a meaning for your life. It’s your responsibility; you should work towards make your life meaningful! Swami Vivekananda said “Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached”, and that is the only way to live a meaningful life.
Friends, only one university can’t decide the future of a person. One university can’t claim for the change in the future of a person but the efforts of one university can definitely prepare the youth who are capable of changing the future.

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Friends, every institution has its own strength, its own identity. Today we might have gathered here to give life a new turn but this will always be a part of our life and therefore whatever we will achieve, it will be prestigious for the institution too.
Whatever you have got from your institute, whatever you are taking with yourself; you will put it into action wherever you will be working. You will fulfill the technical job assigned to you. This is not the only thing this institution has given you. When you will enter that new environment the whole institution will observe the way you behave and perform.
Let me share the ringing words of the great American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson who brought out the true meaning of education:
”We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyful of words and do not know a thing. The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.”
Friends, we don’t want to make robots in universities; we want to create humans. We can’t shape a world with the help of robots made out of technical know-how. We can’t be useful to humankind if there are no sentiments in life, no matter how good we are at technology and knowledge.

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The case of Eklavya – The perfect disciple!
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Sometime I think who was the greatest student and I am reminded of Eklavya. Eklavya who was born to a poor family became a master archer surpassing even the Great Arjuna because of his will, effort, determination and perseverance. There was nobody to teach Eklavya. He visualized his teacher, made his statue and started learning himself. The story is very well known till here but what is a tradition for a student afterwards. What should be his gesture towards those imparting knowledge to him.
I would like to share an incident here. Once, a film shooting was going on where Shri Mithun Chakraborty was playing the hero. It was nearby Patna in Bihar and it continued for around a week. Shri Mithun Chakraborty was playing a tribal in the movie. The tribal people from the nearby areas used to gather daily to watch the shooting. The shooting went on for almost a week and people used to enjoy it very peacefully.

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In one of the shots, the hero had to use bow and arrow. As soon as this scene started to be shot, the tribal people sitting there got angry and crossed their borders to run to the hero. They snatched the bow and arrow from Mithun Chakraborty. Everybody got scared despite police arrangements. Everybody was wondering what happened; why they got angry. The tribals told him he was insulting their forefathers. Everybody got surprised including the script writer. They told him everything else was fine but by using his thumb while using the bow and arrow he was insulting their forefathers as their forefather was Eklavya and he had given his thumb as his ‘Guru Dakshina’. They told since then they don’t use their thumb while using the bow and arrow. By this incident you can think how the ideologies get transferred.
Even after thousands of years they have retained this ideology and respect for Eklavya, their forefather. They have learnt it that way to continue their tradition. Friends, this is the ideal example of how the gesture of a student towards teachers should be.
Watch: Shri Narendra Modi addressing the 3rd convocation of Gujarat National Law University -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicaIJp7hLI&feature=player_embedded

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Learning – a lifelong process, the DNA of life!
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There is this story about a university professor who went to visit a famous Zen master to learn Zen meditation. While the master quietly served tea, the professor kept talking about how learned he was and how he was the best disciple the master could ever get. The master said nothing, but simply kept pouring tea into the visitor’s cup. The cup got filled right up to the brim, and yet the master simply continued pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overflowing! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. The master stopped pouring, looked calmly at the professor, and said, “You are like this cup.” You must be open to ideas all the time. Don’t even for a moment think that you have learnt all that there is to learn.
Each breath you take ushers in a new present, and each subsequent breath will be a moment in the future. Revel in the freshness of the present without resting on the laurels

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of the past, and you shall realize that the world opens up new experiences for you with every passing second. You might obviously be thinking about what there is to learn after having gone through so many years of academic rigor. However, when one faces the real world, one realizes that it’s not any particular knowledge that one needs; rather it’s just the ability to know how to learn, simply because we’re not going to know what’s going to be needed in the future. One needs to be constantly able to learn and adapt to new environments and new knowledge.
Don’t think that you cease to be a student once you leave a campus because if you think so it means you have lost life. Friends, we should remain students for lifetime. You should be ready and yearn to learn from every moment of life. The basic elements of life need to be associated with learning. The learning process should be a part of your DNA. Being a student for life should be part of your DNA and only then there are chances of progress in life. Friends this year is 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. When we are celebrating this 150th birth anniversary, Gujarat Government has decided to celebrate it as the ‘Year of Youth Power.’ This will not be restricted to just essay competitions or debates; we are focusing on a wider scope of increasing skill and ability. Friends, in life skills are as important as education. Many a times if skill doesn’t develop, the education remains useless and gets wasted.

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Fearlessness and Decisiveness – the strengths of youth!
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Success rarely comes to someone who is not sure of himself. We need to develop a vision that is promising to unravel our full potential. Admitting defeat means you lose the will to surmount difficulties. ‘Fall seven times, stand up eight times’, goes an old Japanese saying. Recall how Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mount Everest, refused to admit defeat when he failed the first time. On May 29, 1953 he scaled successfully the highest mountain then known to man though he had failed in 1952. Soon after his disappointing effort in 1952 a group in England called him to address its members and as Hillary walked to the stage amid thunderous applause the audience clearly saw a man who had attempted the impossible. But Edmund Hillary saw himself as a failure. He moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform and making a fist he pointed at a picture of the mountain and said in a loud voice, “Mount Everest, you beat me the first

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time, but I’ll beat you the next time because you’ve grown all you are going to grow… but I’m still growing!” That is the spirit we need to adopt if we want to move ahead in life. Our desire for success should be greater than our fear of failure. It is worth remembering what the famous American writer Dale Carnegie once said, “Don’t be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger. If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take care of themselves.”
You all must have read or heard about Harry Potter, who is now weaving his magic even in Hollywood. However, not many people know how difficult it was for the magic to begin. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, is among the

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richest women in this planet. However, when Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book in 1995, it was rejected by 12 different publishers. Even Bloomsbury, the small publishing house that finally purchased Rowling’s manuscript, told the author to “get a day job.” At the time when Rowling was writing the original Harry Potter book, her life was a self- described mess. She was going through a divorce and living in a tiny flat with her daughter. Rowling was surviving on government subsidies, and her mother had just passed away from multiple sclerosis. At such a bleak juncture in her life, what do you think carried her through? The answer is simple: a tiny little voice that arises from within and says, yes you can. J.K. Rowling followed that voice and turned these negatives into a positive by devoting most of her free time to the Harry Potter series. She in fact also drew from her bad personal experiences when writing. The result is now a brand name currently worth nearly $15 billion, but more importantly, a name which shall be remembered as having gotten children across the world back to reading books and discovering the attics of their imagination.
Friends, in a society indecisive people neither get anything nor give anything. Only those who can take firm decisions can reach their desired targets. The valuable time of indecisive people gets wasted. You might have seen such people living in frustration; even if there are lots of options available in

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a situation, because of their nature they just can’t decide which one to go for and opportunities run out of their hands. Ultimately they have to settle for whatever is left. They just can’t decide. This happens very often. Many people even in the situation of critical illness can’t decide about their treatment. They waste time thinking which doctor to go for and situation worsens so much that even the doctors can’t cure it. Reason? Indecisiveness. Friends, there should be no connection between youth and Indecisiveness. If you are young you have to be decisive and if you are not decisive that means you are not young. If you feel ‘I’m very scared; I may fall if I’ll move’ that means you have lost a youth in yourself. Therefore coming out of indecisiveness and being decisive is the pre condition for being called young. Those who are decisive are courageous too.
It is rightly said that those who fear competition are doomed to lead a mediocre life. In the emerging globally competitive era it is the intangible knowledge capital which counts the most. Today the world has shrunk, thanks to knowledge revolution. It is no more correct to refer to a country as “distant country.” Thanks to the technological revolution, the world has shrunk into being a global village. Therefore whatever education a university or institutes of higher education imparts, it must achieve the global level of bench marking given the vastness and diversity of global village

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we live in today. And towards these end friends, Gujarat has spared no effort in charting a course that pursues a path of integration in the global village setup.
What are the determinants of success? First, explore what success means to you. Then you should take control of your life by developing self-motivation, self-confidence, and greater sense of personal control. Develop a personal mission for you, set goals in major areas of your life, understand your values; then align your mission, goals and these values.
Develop courage and persistence by overcoming self imposed limitations such as fear. Develop resilience. If you have clear sense of purpose and goals then you will be better focused and will be able to concentrate, and the more responsibility you are capable of taking the more self esteem, confidence and personal pride will grow. And if you dream and pray in the process, you would succeed.
Let us dream and pray with the great poet Rabindranath Tagore when he says:
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,
Where knowledge is free,
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls,
Where words come out from the depth of truth,

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Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection,
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit,
Where the mind is led forward by thee into that heaven of freedom,
My Father, let my country wake”.
Read: The complete text ofShri Narendra Modi’s speech at the 42nd Annual Convocation of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat -
http://www.narendramodi.in/speech-at-the-42nd-annual-convocation-of-veer- narmad-south-gujarat-university/

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The power
of Youth
7

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I have great faith in the power of youth. Youth have the potential, honesty and courage to bring about a radical change. After 30, old age starts and perhaps that is why hippies say “don’t trust a man beyond thirty”. Scientists say that all the cells in the human body are replaced totally once in seven years. They have also identified the major changes which take place in human life depending upon the seven- year cycle of change in the human body. One of the most interesting observations is that the age between 21 to 28 is the phase of rebellion, creative thinking and new ventures. Then in the next phase of 28 to 35, man becomes family oriented and starts believing in what John Kenneth Galbraith called conventional wisdom. In the following phases of cyclical change man becomes more and more ritualistic, and starts resisting any change and becomes more and more interested in security rather than going out for new ventures. In short it is the strength in youth, which can bring about

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a paradigm shift. So you cannot only dream big things, but also have the potential in you to transform your dreams into reality.
Gujarat has undertaken the leadership for the 2nd green revolution in India. We have reached the first spot among the states of India. We progressed in the business and industrial sector, we progressed in the agriculture sector and we are also progressing in the service sector. There is one more dream and that is to get importance of Gujarat in the academic world too. In the whole intellectual world the youth power of my Gujarat give contributions in the field of research and innovations, give new ideologies and directions in 21st century and give inventions; these are our dreams. The youth in India has got the capability. Gujarat is a productive land. I call out to every youth in India to come to Gujarat and perform at their best.
Friends, I find two qualities in the youth power. A youth is capable of bringing things together and changing the direction too. They can come together and bring changes. There is no need of breaking anything, but need is to bring changes. Change the direction of a flow and move it in a right direction; this is what a youth should be capable of. And the youth which has this power can change the coming era.
Friends, only those people succeed in the world that changed their directions. Only those who don’t follow the traditions

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blindly and carve their own path can bring changes in the lives and the world. Friends, come, let’s too call out loud and bring changes, find new paths, make people walk on the new path we have found. Let’s try to bring changes. Let’s move further together with the dreams of bringing changes. Let’s make our lives more complete and fulfill what the world expects from us.
Watch: Shri Narendra Modi calling on youth to innovate - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ckMK1LTpzA

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Innovations – to solve the crises of the World!
8

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There is a huge difference in the yardstick of growth of humankind today and the yardstick of growth of humankind in the past. It was an era of different thinking when the growth of humankind was evaluated on the criteria of how controlled the life was with the minimum usage of natural resources. At that time the exploitation of nature was considered as a crime. Today the times have changed, and all criteria have changed. Today your growth is evaluated on the basis of consumption of it; the more you consume the better your growth.
There are so many nations of the world whose only agenda of meetings is how to handle the energy crisis. On one hand the whole world is experiencing this crisis and on other hand the consumption of resources is kept as the yardstick of growth; in this situation the biggest challenge for the youth is to choose the way out of the thinking of humankind and the current situation of resources.

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On one hand there is financial crisis while on other hand there is energy crisis. As long as financial crisis is concerned the problem can be solved over a period of few years with the help of changing situations. But if we want to save humankind from energy crisis, it is necessary for us to rethink seriously about energy sector with a holistic approach.
Once I wrote a letter to our Prime Minister and requested him that as there are different organizations of countries of the world, e.g. SAARC summit, India should take initiative and create an organization of countries that are rich in solar power, the countries which get most benefits of the solar power. These countries should come together, create a corpus fund, open up new dimensions of research and develop easy and affordable methods to give benefits of solar energy to the humankind. I believe that the day is not far when India will be leading such organization of countries rich in solar power. The petroleum university of Gujarat will also put its valuable contribution in the solar energy sector and we will follow the path of change in the world.
The whole world should think collectively and find new direction and strategy to save the humankind from a forthcoming crisis. When these problems are to be solved it can’t be done only with energy resources. To solve these

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problems we will need the human chain to utilize these resources, we will need capable youth power to manage these energy resources. Therefore just the way energy sources are important to decide about the crisis; the human resource related to solving the problem is equally important. Gujarat has thought about and understood these long term requirements.
There are young people who have got talent and innovative ideas but don’t have resources. To change the fate of such youth we have started the institution ‘I-create’. If you have got talent, come; this Government will give you opportunity and resources. You do your experiments and give this world an innovative idea. I invite all the young people to ‘I-create’ and fulfill their dreams. We will have to solve the crisis in the world! And for that there is need of innovations & capacity to take risks. Gandhiji is the greatest example of it. Such was the capability of that great soul that with a fistful of salt he shook the whole empire. This is the power of the waters of Sabarmati and you also have had it. Something new has to be given to the world. And when a youth puts his efforts and time in an innovation the world certainly gets something.
Friends, how farsighted were our deep-thinking forefathers? In our mythology there is a mention of ‘Surya Rath’ which is towed by seven horses. We have heard about it and have seen the pictures too. Gujarat is the only state of India where on

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the banks of river Tapi the whole energy sector works with such horses. Nuclear energy is one horse, gas based energy is another horse, lignite based energy is third horse, hydro is 4th, thermal 5th, solar is 6th, and wind 7th. All the types

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of horses are running at the same place and it is an example to the world!
Watch: Shri Narendra Modi talking about solving world crises at 1st Convocation of the PDPU University -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4J2v08uA8E

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India – the youthful country
9

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We are lucky that we are the people of India that is the country with highest population of youth. We are rich in youth power. At the time when the developed countries of the world are moving ahead with higher population of older people we have an opportunity to conquer the world with our youth power.
If the 21st century is the century of Asia and we want to make it the century of India then the valuable treasure of our youth power will have to be turned into a global workforce. The future of India will also depend on it. Friends, if we take a look at the current situation; it is unfortunate for our country that the average of people getting higher education is only 11 % while in the developed countries it is 55% and in Asia it is 22%. This means that 89% of our people of the age group of 18-23 are such who didn’t get the opportunity of higher education. If we want to be seen on the World map of 21st

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century then it is our prime responsibility to see that we take our people of the age group of 18-23 at the new heights of education. How to give a new direction to our education system and how to fulfill the requirements of it? India will not get benefit only by planning its future education policies simply on the basis of skill education. If we will put more stress on the knowledge based society only then will we be able to fulfill the requirement of the world by contributing to the human resource development.
The focus on higher education in particular and education in general is essential because in knowledge based 21st

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century, Gujarat can contribute only if it makes relevant research and innovations in education and these research and innovations should be totally relevant and compatible to international standards and quality. For this purpose, our government has taken important steps and policy decisions. As research is considered vital & essential part of quality and value education, several programmes have been incorporated to encourage students and teachers for research orientation work. For providing a platform to all knowledge based institutions we have established Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat(KCG) which has initiated the process to develop repository for the research scholars across the nation as well as developing network between research scholars, guides across the state. With a view to develop capabilities of teachers in communication technology and related subjects, KCG, Department of Education has launched initiative Knowledge Management Programme (KMP). Under this initiative training for capabilities building is provided in the area of English and Computer for enabling our teachers to have access to knowledge resources. This initiative shall help them to develop awareness and acquisition at International level in their respective subject areas.
When I started all these some eight years back, people were not aware about higher education. Friends, today the situation is that more people are opting for higher education. The large

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number of deprived, the backward people, the tribal; all are going for education. Therefore in this budget a significant amount of 100 crore is assigned for building hostels for those who are coming from far of area for education.
More than 65% of people in India are of the age of less than 35 years. These young and bright will be the dreams of a country which has so much of youth power. It was the dream of Swami Vivekananda that with these young and bright dreams, our motherland becomes the world leader. And we are lucky that we are born in this era when our 65% population is young and with the skill, capacity, knowledge and education of the youth we are capable to fulfill his dream. Swami Vivekananda told he could see that one-day India will be a world leader. Friends, 150 years have passed and now the responsibility lies on our shoulders to fulfill his dream. As youth, let’s take an oath that we will make India a world leader!
Watch: Shri Narendra Modi’s complete address at the 46th convocation ceremony of IIM-Ahmedabad -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzC63YF7Fks

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Development of
education in Gujarat
10

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1st century is the‘knowledge century’. It is said that this is India’s century. The statement is a fact as well as a challenge. This is a fact
2because whenever in human history there has been a focus on knowledge, India has played its central role in it. Even today, India possesses a rich repository of knowledge in several spheres in the form of its knowledge texts and manuscripts. Moreover, it is a historical truth known to all of us that scholars from across the world visited India to seek knowledge from various Institutions and Universities spread across the country. It is also a historical truth that when one of the last historical universities of India, Nalanda was burnt in India, the world renowned Oxford and Cambridge were not even fully established. This is our rich heritage in higher education which also includes VallabhiVidyapeeth.
This is just a glance about the historical legacy and heritage. But let us realize that it is our responsibility to carve the role

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and direction of Gujarat in this knowledge century of India. I need not highlight achievements of Gujarat in Industrial Progress, Investment and Infrastructural Development. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit of 2011 is a proof for this. The whole country has taken note of it. After achieving the first place in industrial development, investments in Gujarat, our government has shifted its focus to education and health because they are centre of overall development.
In 2001, when I was given responsibility of Gujarat there were only 11 universities; today we have 41 universities. There are more universities than the number of colleges in the last decade and all the universities are world class universities.
My government has taken several initiatives in the education sector. The 5th Vibrant Summit saw a commitment of $ 450 billion of investments with 7,936 MoUs signed amounting to Rs 20.83 lakh crore. Of these 84 MOUs were signed in different categories among higher education in the State and their international counterparts that included United States of America, Canada, South America, Australia, United Kingdom and South Asian countries. Investment was just one aspect of it. The main aim was to find out the steps to be taken to create the knowledge based society. 33 leading

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universities of the world came here. The universities of Gujarat, the industrial houses which are future investors in Gujarat organized a round table conference. They moved ahead in the direction of some planning. With the help of this planning and by utilizing our youth power how to fulfill the needs of the world, this is what we are trying to do.
I am sure that renewed focus on higher education as part of our vision to transform Gujarat into a knowledge hub will bear fruit in near future with the active participation of all stake holders. The academic collaborations would be mutually beneficial to the State and to international institutions as well. New field of knowledge has been cast open for youth and women; and new universities/centres of advanced learning or excellence are going to be set up in collaboration with foreign universities.
Today India is emerging as a major economic power and Gujarat is placed well to take the country on a high growth trajectory. Gujarat already contributes a substantial part in India’s industrial production, capital formation and exports. In several products, it is in fact, a national leader and in certain others, a global player. Gujarat has thus emerged as the growth engine of India. However, the potential is still very large and Gujarat must exploit the same for its own development and for growth of the country. For larger growth we need educated and highly qualified technical manpower.

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That is why I put Gyan Shakti on the top of the Panchamrut Yojana’s other four principles Urja Shakti, Jal Shakti, Jan Shakti and Raksha Shakti.
There is need of such human resource which can play an important role in the development of the humankind. For that we will have to touch different fields of education. We have started a campaign. This Government has focused on skill development and we all know it.
We are the first in the world to start a forensic science university. We are the first in the world to think about the geological university. We are the first in India to start Raksha Shakti University. In India Gujarat is leading in petroleum and energy sector and for the development of the human resource required in it we have started Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Petroleum University. By starting many new universities we are trying to open up different centers in Gujarat to give different options of education.
I don’t look at sports as something which merely tones up the body. I look at it as a tool of education that stimulates the mind and brings in a culture of discipline. Keeping this in mind to develop physical, mental and creative abilities of students “Khel Mahakumbh” was organized during the Golden Jubilee Year of the state. “Chess Mahakumbh” too served the same purpose. It was meant to develop students’

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capacity of concentration, analytical skills and anticipation that would help him or her to pursue studies in a pragmatic and healthy manner.
To rekindle the spirit of learning and reading we launched “Vanche Gujarat” in Swarnim year. All these initiatives will provide motivation and creation of new formation to our education and particularly to higher education in Gujarat. For effective implementation of various initiatives started by Government of Gujarat, Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG) has created one structure for the Mission Mode Implementation (MMI). In this structure, 5 colleges make one cluster and several such clusters make one academic district. Under MMI, district coordinators, students and university representatives were selected and given training to implement, organize and monitor various initiatives effectively in all districts, clusters and colleges.
It will not be out of place to mention that the state of Gujarat is witnessing an atmosphere charged with silent revolution in higher education for several years now. The implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) which is in progress allows a student of mathematics the freedom to study subjects like music or philosophy.
These initiatives are not designed to be mere government programmes. They need to be supported by larger public participation across the state.

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