Nagpur University's 113th annual convocation ceremony, held on Friday, transformed into a powerful celebration of academic achievement that transcended age and background. The historic event honored a remarkable 61,871 students with degrees and diplomas, while simultaneously highlighting inspiring stories of lifelong scholarly pursuit.
Honoring Wisdom: Elderly Scholars Steal the Show
The ceremony proved that the quest for knowledge has no expiration date. The university conferred its prestigious Doctorate of Literature (D Litt) upon two distinguished individuals: 97-year-old economist Vinayak Pande and 67-year-old Deepak Wankhede in Geography (Human Sciences). Pande, now based in Bengaluru, is an alumnus of Nagpur University, and his son accepted the degree on his behalf.
In another extraordinary feat, 65-year-old Ghanashyam Vithobaji Mange earned his PhD in Law. Retired as an assistant manager from the Maharashtra State Electricity Department in 2008, Mange embarked on an academic journey soon after. He enrolled in a regular college programme in 2009, cleared his LLM in 2012, and began his doctoral research in 2018 under the guidance of Dr. Ravishankar More. Honored with the Dr. Vitthalrao Jibhkate Award, Mange expressed his future goal to author a book on law.
A Grand Celebration of Merit and Achievement
Held at the National Fire Service College auditorium, the convocation was a grand affair. A total of 279 scholars received their PhDs alongside the thousands of graduate students. The university also recognized exceptional merit by presenting 229 awards. This included 194 gold medals, eight silver medals, and 27 cash prizes, awarded to 140 students for outstanding performance in the Winter 2024 and Summer 2025 examinations.
The event notably celebrated inclusivity, with recipients including retired professionals, working individuals, and students from low-income groups in remote areas, underscoring education's role as a great equalizer.
Leaders Urge Graduates to Harness Knowledge for Society
Chief guest Dr. Anant Pandhare, President of AIIMS-Nagpur, inspired the gathering by urging students to recognize their inner strengths and pursue success with confidence. He highlighted the university's legacy of producing eminent national figures, including Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, and literary icons.
"Students carry with them their hard work, family expectations, and positive energy," Dr. Pandhare said, encouraging them to channel this energy to realize their full potential. He also appealed to teachers to help students overcome fear and temptation.
In her presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Manali Kshirsagar congratulated the graduates and expressed gratitude towards parents and teachers. She called upon the new alumni to use their knowledge not just for personal growth but as a tool for social welfare, environmental protection, equality, and fraternity.
The 113th convocation of Nagpur University, therefore, was not just a formal distribution of certificates but a resonant testament to the enduring power of education and human spirit at every stage of life.
