The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said, the world is amazed that in a country of 140 crore people, technology is reaching the farthest corners. Service delivery is being facilitated through technology.
The elderly here know how things used to be standing in lines for electricity bills, standing in lines for any administrative service, not even knowing how to obtain a delivery ticket or a passport. But today, all of this has come into the palm of our hands.
It is happening effortlessly. This is a major revolution, he remarked. Addressing the students at the 2nd Convocation of Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Motihari, Bihar today, Shri Dhankhar said, A developed India by 2047 is not just a dream; it is our goal.
However, achieving this goal will require great sacrifices and contributions from everyone. Consider this: for a developed India, the current per capita income needs to increase eightfold. People often ask me, ‘What can citizens do for this?’ This is indeed a significant question.
The Vice-President reflected on the transformation in Bihar, “This land has started to shine again. Nalanda had disappeared, but now Nalanda is visible once more. I visited Nalanda. There is now creation happening here, development taking place.
A new dimension has been added to law and order—this is no small feat; it is a significant achievement. That is why my request to you is: You can take a big leap. Sharing a meaningful example, the Vice-President recounted the Prime Minister’s initiative: saying when I came to this campus, I remembered a call made by the Prime Minister ‘One tree in the name of your mother.’
I planted one, as did His Excellency. This is an individual act, but imagine if 140 crore people did the same! You could even plant a tree in the name of your child, saying, ‘I plant this tree in your mother’s name; you plant one when you grow up.’
What a massive revolution this could bring! he said. The Vice-President underscored the importance of reducing dependence on imports, saying, when we import goods that are already manufactured in our country, it results in three major drawbacks.
First, unnecessary foreign exchange flows out of our reserves. Second, we import various items from abroad—paint, shirts, furniture, kites, lamps, candles, curtains, and so much more for marginal economic benefits.
But if these were manufactured domestically, imagine how many people would get employment. By importing, we are taking away jobs from our own people. Third, such practices hinder the growth of domestic entrepreneurs.
The essence of this is that even today, an ordinary citizen can do a lot to address this issue. Highlighting the role of alumni associations, Shri Dhankhar stated, look at the world’s leading institutions their reputation, image, and financial stability are determined by their alumni associations.
Alumni associations play a significant role. Every student of this university should take a pledge that they will contribute to the university fund, either annually or monthly. It doesn’t matter whether the contribution is ten rupees, a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand.
Over time, it will grow, but the habit must develop. And this habit will only form when we take a pledge. Concluding his address, he urged students to think innovatively and explore opportunities, saying, Tell students through workshops about the infinite possibilities available to them.
Government policies are so supportive, and accessing funds has become much easier. Whenever you come up with an idea, you will find policies supporting you at every step in turning that idea into reality.
Boys and Girls, think out of the box, he remarked. Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Bihar, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Member of Parliament, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Prof. Sanjay Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.