Thiruvarur, August 17: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday graced the 11th Convocation of the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN) at Thiruvarur and urged graduating students to use their knowledge and skills for nation-building.
Addressing the graduates, Radhakrishnan said a convocation was not merely a ceremony to award degrees but a celebration of education, knowledge, perseverance and resilience.
He congratulated the graduating students as well as their parents and teachers, acknowledging the sacrifices made by families and educators in shaping the students' future.
Highlighting the cultural and intellectual significance of Thiruvarur, the Vice President said the town, home to the Thyagaraja Temple, has for centuries been a centre of spirituality, scholarship and artistic excellence. He said the region had nurtured saints, scholars and the legendary Trinity of Carnatic music.
Radhakrishnan also highlighted the expansion of higher education in India over the past 12 years and noted the increasing participation of women in higher education. He said that at convocation ceremonies across the country, women are increasingly receiving more degrees and medals than men, describing the trend as a welcome development.
“Education today cannot be measured merely by examinations or marks,” he said, adding that it must enable students to think independently, communicate effectively, work collaboratively and continue learning throughout their lives.
Appreciating CUTN's focus on multidisciplinary education, research, innovation and value-based learning, the Vice President urged students to “become creators rather than consumers of knowledge, innovators rather than imitators, and leaders rather than followers.”
Referring to the recently passed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, Radhakrishnan stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of examinations and safeguarding the interests of students. Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, he said a similar legislation had been passed by the state government during his tenure and he had signed it immediately.
“Bad elements in society must be punished to protect the interests of good people,” he said, underlining the need for strong measures against unfair practices in public examinations.
The Vice President also urged police and security agencies to take strict action against drug peddlers and those involved in spreading drug abuse. Calling drug abuse a serious threat to individuals, families and society, he appealed to students to “Say No to Drugs” and encourage their peers to stay away from substance abuse.
Radhakrishnan further called upon the youth to contribute to India's development under the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, urging them to keep “Nation First - Rashtra Pratham” at the centre of their actions.
A total of 1,103 graduates received their degrees at the convocation, including 50 Gold Medallists. Women accounted for 616 graduates and secured 37 of the 50 Gold Medals, highlighting their strong performance in higher education.
Governor of Tamil Nadu Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Nagapattinam Lok Sabha MP V. Selvaraj, Chancellor Prof. G. Padmanabhan, Vice-Chancellor Senior Prof. Sulochana Shekhar, faculty members, parents and students were also present at the convocation.