Talking Points for the use of Hon’ble Vice-President of India at the 9th Convocation of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on 12 January 2026

I touch and salute the Holy Feet of Bharat Mata – the Most Powerful and the Most Merciful.
Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shri Kanwal Sibal, Shri Amit Khare, Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.

I touch and salute the holy feet of Bharat Mata- The Most powerful and the most Merciful. I am pleased to be here today at the 9th Convocation of Jawaharlal Nehru University.  Today 12th January is the anniversary of great thinker, philosopher, author and spiritual leader  Swami Vivekanandji. It is also the National Youth Day. I am happy that JNU has chosen this auspicious day for its convocation. Swami Vivekanandji had said: “We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on his own feet.” While I congratulate the graduates for attaining this milestone in their lives, I urge you to reciprocate, as Guru-dakshina, and work for our country’s economic, social and scientific prosperity.   I firmly believe that it is education alone, and proper training, that will empower our youth to take our nation forward towards the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modiji of a Viksit Bharat @ 2047.  
India has always been known to cherish the values of education. Ancient Indian universities, such as Nālandā and Takṣaśilā sought to empower society with high-quality knowledge.  In every period of our history, India has attracted people who would travel to India from far-away places to gain knowledge. From distant lands, emperors and rulers would send ambassadors and experts to India to acquire special training in the various fields of science and philosophy. Our history has always inspired us to seek knowledge; our scriptures and epics have always promoted knowledge; our dharma-shastras have kept learning at the centre when they discuss how to frame the political and social laws of the country. 

From the Upanishad to the Bhagavad Gita to Kautilya’s Artha-śāstra to Thiruvallavar’s Thirukkural, we have been taught that knowledge alone empowers people.   On this occasion, it is fitting to recall the timeless words of the great saintly poet Thiruvalluvar in the Thirukkural.  One celebrated couplet on learning says: கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின் நிற்க அதற்குத் தக “While learning you learn perfectly and then in practice you adopt the good learning in your life.”  This Kural reminds us that education is not merely about collecting degrees; it is about shaping one’s conduct and character. Under the leadership of the Honourable Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji, the Chancellor of JNU, Shri Kanwal Sibal ji and Vice Chancellor of JNU Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Panditji have shown commendable vision in expanding the universities outlook into several new emerging fields of study.

I am also glad to note that the present Vice Chancellor of JNU, who is the first woman Vice Chancellor in the history of this University, has demonstrated how Nari Shakti can transform education into a successful model of development. I am pleased to learn that the University has also established three new Centres at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies the Centre for Hindu Studies, the Centre for Jain Studies, and the Centre for Buddhist Studies creating spaces for rigorous academic engagement with India’s civilisational wisdom. These initiatives, driven by the commitment of faculty and staff of JNU, play a vital role in skilling our youth, and generating a knowledge industry towards youth employability and economic development. One of the developments which is more close to the heart on this campus has been the promotion of Indian languages as vehicles for advanced knowledge. The establishment of the Special Centre for Tamil Studies and the Srimanta Sankara-deva Chair, along with ongoing efforts to strengthening Odia, Marathi, and Kannada studies, shows JNU’s commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural nationalism. 

When a national university nurtures Tamil, Assamese, Odia, Marathi, Kannada, and other Indian languages, it ensures that creative thinking and scientific research flow in mother tongues, not just in English alone.  This is in harmony with the spirit of the National Education Policy, which calls for knowledge to be available to every learner in languages closest to their hearts.
Another commendable initiative, which will inspire innovators of our country to bring forward their scientific research and skills, is the major funding under the Prime Minister’s new and path-breaking scheme, the Anu-sandhan National Research Foundation. Let me conclude by urging the graduates to shoulder three responsibilities as they step out of the campus. First, the responsibility of intellectual honesty pursuing truth even when it is uncomfortable, questioning assumptions, and resisting the temptation to spread unverified information in a world saturated with noise.

Second, the responsibility of social inclusion using education to reduce inequalities, empower marginalised communities, and ensure that development reaches every region and every section of the community.  Whether you join the government, academia, civil society, or the private sector, let constitutional values and traditional ethos guide your decisions.  Third, the responsibility of national development contributing, in your own field, towards a secured, prosperous, innovative, and Viksit Bharat by 2047. Also dear graduates always respect and regard your parents and your teachers.
India is one and it will be one forever, that is our ultimate motive. I wish you all the success in your future endeavours whatever may be the field you chose, and wherever you may be in India or abroad. I pray to God to bless you with all health, happiness and prosperity.  Jai Hind! Long Live Mother Bharat!