Ahmedabad, Aug. 27 -- Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today advised young graduates to set the goals of their lives for the nation, society and the poor and not for themselves and their families, saying it would help them rise above failures and challenges in life

Addressing the 72nd convocation of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad as the chief guest, Shah said that approximately 900 students would receive their degrees and 11 gold medals and enter society at a crucial stage in their lives.

Talking about his association with Mahatma Gandhi's principles, Shah said that Gandhi's message was relevant and would continue to guide society for generations to come. He said that Gujarat Vidyapith, which had been founded by Gandhi on October 18, 1920, had been a laboratory for his thoughts on education, nationalism and social reforms.

The Home Minister said that the goal of education should be to build the 'nation' through the all-round development of the 'hands, heart and mind'. Education should equip one with skills, sensitivity, knowledge, wisdom and the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, he added.

He said that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which was based on mother tongue, skills, multidisciplinary learning, Indian knowledge systems and holistic development, reflected the basic principles of India's traditional system of education as well as modern innovations.

Shah asked the students to remember Mahatma Gandhi's seven social sins - politics without principles, business without morality, wealth without labour, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, science without humanity and worship without sacrifice. The Minister said that Gandhi's 11 vows, which included non-violence, non-stealing, non-possession, physical labour, fearlessness, respect for all religions, Swadeshi and eradication of untouchability, were relevant even today.

The Union Home Minister said that Khadi was a symbol of the larger Swadeshi movement and the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries had increased from Rs 31,000 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1.87 lakh crore in 2025-26.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.