Assam's TU Convocation: COVID or cricket, positive mindset can overcome adversity, says PM Modi

GUWAHATI:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually addressed the 18th convocation of Tezpur University on Friday and urged the students to inculcate a positive mindset to take Assam, and the northeast to greater heights by the time India celebrates 100 years of independence.

As many as 1,218 students who passed out in 2020 were conferred degrees and diplomas at the convocation in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

Among the degree recipients, they awarded gold medals to 48 toppers of various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

During the 28-minute virtual address, Modi stated that the convocation would be one to remember for the students, guardians and teachers of the university.

“From today, your careers would be forever attached to Tezpur University, and I have firm belief and confidence that whatever you have learned in the institution will lend momentum to Assam and the country’s progress to reach newer heights,” Modi said.

Reading out a few lines from Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika’s literary composition, which is also the anthem of the university, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Tezpur, its historic locations such as Agnigarh and Kaliabhomora Setu.

“Great personalities of Tezpur such as Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla and Bishnu Prasad Rabha are an identity of Tezpur and an inspiration for the students of Tezpur University,” he said.

Pointing out the university's contributions, he said that the department of chemical science had developed a low-cost technology to provide clean drinking water, which has benefited the villages of Assam and even some other states.

“The work that you are doing to develop technologies connected to biogas, organic fertilisers, etc., and bringing about solutions, is commendable,” he said.

Modi also expressed his belief that the university would fulfil the objectives of the new National Education Policy (NEP).

Modi further praised the university for its initiatives in biodiversity preservation and promotion of Assam’s rich heritage.

Citing examples of positivity to overcome challenging situations, the Prime Minister referred to how India lessened the impact of COVID-19 with a transformed mindset and self-reliance.

He even cited the instance of how team India fought back with limited resources to defeat Australia in the four-match Test cricket series recently.

“These are life’s lessons… that if we believe in our abilities, we can achieve success. We need to be prepared to explore winning options by treading challenging paths. We need to be proactive and fearless and not take unnecessary pressure to halt our progress,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also referred to the 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' campaigns which he said are helping the country with solutions in the face of adversity.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

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