"Now after completing a certain period of attaining knowledge, you have to give it a practical form. Here I would like to exhort that whatever you do, wherever you go, always follow the path of truth. As it is also said in Gurubani that Truth is supreme, if there is anything higher than that, then it is, the following the path of truthfulness (सत्य सबसे ऊपर है यदि उससे भी ऊपर कुछ है तो वह है सत्य का आचरण).
I believe, one of the biggest challenges facing the country and the world today is the “Crisis of character”. Crisis of character is at the root of most of the problems. Today, there is a need to return to this basic goal of our education system" said - Sh. Banwarilal Purohit, Hon'ble Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University while addressing the graduates during delivery of Convocation address here today on the occasion of 49th Annual Convocation of the Guru Nanak Dev University in “The Golden Jubilee Convention Centre”.
On this occasion, esteemed Bollywood personality, Gulzar (Sh. Sampooran Singh Kalra), renowned for his contributions as a lyricist, poet, author, screenwriter, film director, and producer conferred (online) with an Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Literature in the faculty of Languages as he was unable to physicaly present due to his health issues.
Further, Prof. Yogesh K. Chawla, former Director & Emeritus Professor, and former Professor & Head of the Department of Hepatology at PGIMER, Chandigarh bestowed with an Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree of Science in the faculty of Medical Sciences by the Governor of Punjab. These two personalities were honored in recognition of their contribution in their respective fields.
Prof. Rajiv Sood, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot was the special guest. On this occasion 370 degrees of Ph.D, Post-Graduate and Under-Graduate degrees and 171 medals were awarded to students from various faculties. Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries. Prof. Karanjit Singh Kahlon, Registrar of the University coordinated the convocation.
Vice-Chancellor also honored chief guest and other guests with a memento on behalf of the University. Prof. Palwinder Singh, Dean, Academic Affairs presented the vote of thanks. Prof. Preet Mohinder Singh Bedi, Dean Student's Welfare and a large number of eminent personalities, members of Senate and Syndicate of the University, Deans of the Faculties, Faculty Members, graduating students were present to mark this august occasion.
While extending his heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all the graduates, on reaching the cherished milestone of their lives, Sh. Banwarilal Purohit said that fortunate are you, to have an opportunity, to graduate from an institution which has been spreading the light of knowledge since 1969. It is a university that has earned for itself a place of pride in the higher education landscape of the country.
He said that this university is named after the visionary saint Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who preached equality and compassion and stands as a beacon of enlightenment in a world often shrouded in darkness. He said in hindi that श्री गुरू नानक देव जी के अवतरण के बारे में कहते हैं न कि ‘‘मिटी धुंध जग चानण होया’’. He said that I am happy that the university is standing upto its name and fostering in its students the attributes of tolerance, perseverance, conviction and self-reliance.
Guru Nanak Dev University is growing vertically in its rankings and performance. Citing his own experience with a parent, he emphasised the importance of mature and experienced faculty in imparting quality education to the students and lauded the experienced Faculty of GNDU. Delving in his own experience in school he Reiterated the importance of Character in life along with good education.
He cited Swami Vivekananda speech in Dharama Sansad in Chicago in context of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and giving emphasis to female in our indian culture. He exhorted the audience and students to lead a simple, truthful life with limited needs, live with self respect, self reliance, raise voice against injustice (quoting Martin Luther King), associate with person of good quality and be good citizens of India and the world.
While lauding the achievements of the University, Sh. Purohit said that this University has been conferred with the status of “University with Potential for Excellence” by the UGC, and accredited with “A++” grade by NAAC. It has also attained 48th ranking in NIRF Ranking in 2023. The faculty of the university has also carved a niche for itself in their respective research areas and the H-Index has increased to 145 in 2024 from 64 in 2017.
Likewise, the achievements of the university in the field of extracurricular activities and sports are noteworthy. He said that this University won the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, the highest sports awards for a university in the country, for a record number of 25 times which speaks volumes about the achievements of the university.
The Golden Jublee Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (GJCEI) established in the university actively fosters entrepreneurship and innovation to drive economic growth locally and regionally. It boasts a cutting-edge infrastructure currently accommodating 19 start-ups and overseeing 7 innovation-driven projects worth approximately 70 lacs.
This University has entered into hon’ble international collaborations with Netherland, Canada and Japan. Guru Nanak Dev University has established a Centre for Agriculture Research and Innovation (CARI) with an aim to integrate research and education in the field of agriculture and this centre is focusing on cultivating high value non-traditional crops.
Through collaboration with farmers, researches, entrepreneurs and investors CARI aims to consolidate an eco-system of entrepreneurship and innovation in the agriculture sector and he said that this is the need of the hour, in a primarily Agrarian State like Punjab. He said that all endings are also beginnings. This phase in your life marks the ending of acquiring formal education as graduates but it also marks the beginning of your life as professionals.
In the Gurukul tradition in India there were 3 stages in the process of education - Shravan, Manan and Nididhyasan (श्रवण, मनन and निद्धियासन). Shravan means receiving knowledge through all senses. Manan means the process of thinking and churning through the mind, what has been heard and Nididhyasan means applying the heard knowledge into one’s life. So, he said that, now after completing a certain period of attaining knowledge, you have to give it a practical form.
He said that here I would like to exhort that whatever you do, wherever you go, always follow the path of truth. He said that as it is also said in Gurubani that Truth is supreme, if there is anything higher than that, then it is, the following the path of truthfulness ((सत्य सबसे ऊपर है यदि उससे भी ऊपर कुछ है तो वह है सत्य का आचरण)). He said that I believe, one of the biggest challenges facing the country and the world today is the “Crisis of character”. Crisis of character is at the root of most of the problems. Today, there is a need to return to this basic goal of our education system.
While giving reference of Gandhi Ji's artcle in 1925 in his weekly newspaper Young India which highlighted Seven Social Sins, he said that Mahatma Gandhi Ji said that Politics without principles, Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity and Worship without sacrifice are Social Sins.
He said that to all young men and women gathered here today, I would like to share that when values are not strongly held, people respond weakly to crisis which in turn threatens the social fabric. So, adherence to values should be part and parcel of your lives. He advised the students that let discipline be your watchword; let dedication be your friend and let devotion to the Almighty be your guide.
He said that when values mould your character, the impact of your knowledge is bound to be respected and recognized. He said that I firmly believe the words of Rabindra Nath Tagore who said “Education is not the filling of pail, but the lightening of a fire”. So, acquiring specialized knowledge will not complete education, but the development of the ability for independent thinking and judgment is of utmost importance.
He said that don’t have narrow sectarian thinking but a broad and empathetic understanding of life; become global citizens; let “Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam” be your perspective. He said that your aim should extend beyond money-making; encompass broad considerations of upliftment of communities, protection of environment and promotion of social justice in your vision.
Whether you choose to pursue a career in private sector, public sector or the non-profit sector, I urge you to approach your work with a sense of purpose and commitment to making a difference. Remember the success is not just about personal achievements, it is about lifting others up and creating opportunities for those who comes after you.
He said that we are the 5th largest economy today. We are a thriving and well-functioning democracy. We have scaled the moon and now our eyes are set on the sun. We are the growth story that astonishes and inspires the world. But, we need to be conscious and not be complacent. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and the skills and knowledge that served you well yesterday may not be sufficient for the challenges of tomorrow.
So, stay curious, stay hungry for knowledge, and never stop seeking new opportunities to expand your horizons and broaden your perspectives, he added. He said to all the academicians gathered, that I would like to share the words of American President, Franklin D Roosevelt who once said “We cannot always build the future for youth, but we can build our youth for the future”.
So, continue performing your duty with dedication and mould your students into productive professionals and good human beings. One of the mantras of Indian education has been “Come for education, go for service” (“शिक्षार्थ आइए सेवार्थ जाइए”). So, you came to the university to get education, that work has been completed. Use the knowledge you have acquired to serve the society and the nation.
Prof. YK Chawla and Prof. Sood both also shared their experiences of life with the students. They inspired the students to respect their parents and teachers and contribute for development of the nation with hard work and great dedication while keeping in mind the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev University.
Prof. Sandhu appraised chief guest and others about the activities and achievement of the University in the field of academics, research, culture and sports. Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu also honored Prof. Yogesh K. Chawlaand and Prof. Sood with Coffee Table Book & Phulkari on the behalf of the University.