Jawaharlal Nehru University celebrated its ninth convocation ceremony on Monday. The event saw 467 PhD students receive their hard-earned degrees. Among these graduates, 211 were women and 256 were men.
Distinguished Guests Honor Graduates
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan served as the chief guest for this important occasion. He personally awarded degrees to all the successful candidates. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended as a guest of honor and delivered a significant address.
Kanwal Sibal, the Chancellor of JNU, presided over the convocation proceedings. Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the Vice Chancellor, gave the welcome address to begin the ceremony.
Vice President Highlights India's Educational Heritage
In his speech, Vice President Radhakrishnan reflected on India's rich educational history. He mentioned ancient centers of learning like Nalanda and Takshashila. These institutions set early standards for scholarship and knowledge.
He pointed to important texts that emphasize learning's role in society. These include:
- The Upanishads
- The Bhagavad Gita
- Kautilya's Arthashastra
- Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural
The Vice President praised JNU for creating an inclusive environment. He noted the university's efforts to promote equity in student admissions and faculty hiring. He also acknowledged JNU's democratic culture.
"Debate, discussion, dissent, and even confrontation are essential elements of a healthy democracy," he stated. He added that these processes should lead to constructive conclusions.
He emphasized that once decisions are made, everyone should cooperate in implementation. This cooperation ensures smooth and effective administration.
Education Minister Emphasizes Societal Duty
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the graduating students directly. He stressed that their academic achievements come with broader responsibilities.
"Your degrees represent not only personal success but also a responsibility to society," Pradhan told the new PhD holders. He highlighted JNU's strong legacy of academic excellence built over decades.
He noted that JNU remains one of India's premier universities. It maintains academic autonomy while fostering interdisciplinary thinking. Critical thinking remains central to its educational mission.
Pradhan's visit followed recent campus events where some students raised controversial slogans. Despite this context, he focused on the positive role graduates can play.
Graduates Poised for Nation-Building Roles
The Education Minister outlined how JNU graduates can contribute to national development. Many will drive innovation through startups and entrepreneurial ventures. Others will shape intellectual discourse as writers, journalists, and thought leaders.
Pradhan expressed confidence in their potential impact. "The nation expects them to make an active, positive and meaningful contribution," he said. He specifically mentioned working toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
This convocation marks another milestone for JNU. It reinforces the university's commitment to producing scholars who excel academically while understanding their societal obligations. The ceremony celebrated both individual achievement and collective responsibility.
