Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday rued that rural voices remained unheard in Delhi's corridors of power but there were huge expectations from the graduates of Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) in such a scenario.Delivering the 34th convocation address of IRMA, he appreciated that the graduating students had chosen the option to serve the rural sector which needed continued attention.Noting the rural sector was "beleaguered by severe challenges, mainly involving technology and infrastructure", the union minister said he expected "a lot from IRMA's graduates with regard to the challenges besetting the rural sector", while expressing hope that they would have the vision to address these challenges.A total of 195 Post Graduate Programme in Rural Management participants and two Fellow Programme in Rural Management participants graduated this year. Shreshta Kukreja who had topped his batch of PRM 35, was awarded the prestigious KuchibhotlaVasanthi Gold Medal by Gadkari.
Speaking on the occasion, IRMA Chairman T. Nandakumar exhorted the the fresh graduates to "push the pedal to the future", but also reminded them a hefty pay was not all but a contribution to the society was more important."Chasing high CTCs does not matter because it is more important to create happiness in people's lives," he said.Terming IRMA "a unique institution", he added he was proud of the fact that its graduates have gone on to work in important organisations and sectors.IRAM Director Jeemol Unnihighlighted some of the institute's achievements for the academic year including the institute's infrastructural expansion to accommodate a larger batch size.She also said a large number of MoUs had been signed and research and consulting assignments undertaken by the Institute during the academic year, among many other things.