Make India self-reliant:Union min at IIT Patna
PATNA, Aug. 27 -- Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday exhorted the young pass outs from IIT-Patna to think beyond self to contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress through innovation and critical thinking, as the world moves towards a new order.
Pradhan was at IIT--Patna along with minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai, minister of textile Giriraj Singh and national organising secretary of the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal BR Shankaranand to attend the 12th Convocation.
They presented the degrees, four gold medals and 28 silver medals to the students.
"Individual progress does not mean a lot in the long run. If the society prospers, you also prosper in real terms. The youth of the country will have to take the responsibility to take India forward to be the third largest economy soon and a fully developed and self-reliant economy by 2047. We have to set our priority, and this is the right time, as the world order is changing and no nation would enjoy the monopoly," Pradhan said.
Referring to threats of increased tariff (from the US), Pradhan said it was happening as India was importing oil to meet its energy needs.
"We import around Rs.10-lakh-crore worth of energy, while we have over plenty of bio mass lying unutilised. If we tap it all, we cannot only meet our needs, but can also export," he said. "Our talented youth should be prepared to cash in on the new world culture that is emerging and keep the 'vocal for local' mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mind to make India self-reliant," the education minister added.
In their address, Nityanand Rai and Giriraj Singh also referred to the tariff threat and the need for India to become developed and self-reliant through innovation, technology and enterprise of the youth, for which Narendra Modi had set the platform with a thriving start-up culture, and devote their knowledge and skill to keep the nation ahead of the emerging geopolitical challenges.
Pradhan said that a lot of work was being done on ethanol in Bihar, but at a time when climate challenge was a serious issue globally, the focus has to be on reducing carbon emission by increasing use of renewable energy, and that is where the technology and innovation would play a key role in making it accessible as well as affordable for the masses.
"As we move towards becoming a developed nation, energy consumption will rise. We are today the third largest energy consumer after the US and China. India has achieved in bringing down the cost of solar energy and is working on hydrogen power. But more will be required to be done," he said, citing the example of Steve Jobs for understanding the society's needs for innovation and technological advancement.
He said that he was not against young people doing jobs to fulfil their own and family aspirations, but that it would not meet societal expectations.
"With IIT degree, you should have a five-year timeline to set your priorities with the nation in the focus. You should strive to be a job provider, not be just a job seeker," he added.
Pradhan said it was important to understand the local needs and strengths for developing innovative technology in diverse fields, better suited to the society at large.
"Makhana is a superfood. Recently the Centre announced the Makhana Board to take it globally. How can its nutritional value be further enhanced? Banana is grown in Bihar and its fibre is also used in the textile industry. How can huge agri waste be utilised for energy production?
At the convocation, 1,320 students, including 445 of B Tech, 207 of M Tech, 85 of MSc and 65 researchers were conferred degrees this year, making it the largest convocation in IIT Patna's history, said institute director TN Singh.
Besides, 221 students received degrees in Hybrid M.Tech and 243 in Hybrid MBA programs.
Earlier in the day, during his interaction with media, Pradhan said that Bihar had changed beyond imagination and he could clearly feel it the moment he alighted at the Patna airport and reached the JP-Ganga Path for morning walk.
"This is precisely why I went to thank Bihar's popular Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The CM and PM Narendra Modi are taking Bihar forward and in the coming days it will only pick up momentum with greater public support," he added....
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