The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the 2nd convocation of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar today (September 7, 2013).
Addressing the students, the President said as they leave the portals of their alma mater, they should remember that cooperation is equally important in life as competition. In their professional life, solving tasks would require many minds to come together. They should learn to be a team player. They should develop tolerance for multiple viewpoints. They should be humble. They should respect and understand their colleagues. He called upon the students to make truth, knowledge and hard work their partners in life. He said knowledge is limitless. He advised them to keep their mind always open to gather more knowledge.
The President said IITs are recognized the world over for their academic excellence. Their alumni have made them and more so India proud, whichever profession they chose to pursue - be it science or engineering, teaching or research, entrepreneurship or corporate world, or public service. They have earned respect globally for their intellect and professionalism. He reminded the students as a product of IIT, they have to live up to this expectation. He expressed his confidence that each one of them would excel in their chosen field, and each one of them would lead a life of relative comfort. He cautioned the students that in the altar of success, never forget to retain a sense of empathy for those countrymen of them who are still burdened with hunger, poverty, deprivation, disease and backwardness.
The President said academic institutions must forge knowledge partnerships, both within and outside the country. He was glad to learn that IIT Bhubaneswar has been proactive in seeking global academic cooperation. It has initiated faculty exchange programmes with renowned universities in US, UK and Canada.
This release issued at 1330 hrs