Posted On:
30 OCT 2026 3:02PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today graced the Golden Jubilee Celebrations and 39th Convocation of Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University) in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. He conferred gold medals on meritorious students and extended his congratulations and best wishes to all the graduating students.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President emphasised that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 can be realised only through the holistic development of villages. He stated that the real strength of Indialies in its villages and that rural development must remain a fundamental pillar of national development.
He stressed that the objective should not necessarily be to transform every village into a town, but to ensure that rural citizens have access to quality infrastructure, essential public services, livelihood opportunities and a dignified standard of living comparable to those available in urban areas.
Recalling the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the Vice-President said that the history of Gandhigram was closely intertwined with Gandhian philosophy. He recalled that Dr. G. Ramachandran and Dr. T. S. Soundaram Ramachandran, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, established the institution with the vision of promoting rural education, development and social transformation.
Highlighting the enduring power of truth and non-violence, he observed that Mahatma Gandhi had challenged the might of the British Empire through these principles and led India to freedom. Gandhian values, he said, continue to offer guidance to society and the nation.
Referring to India’s development journey over the past twelve years under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Vice-President highlighted significant progress in rural housing, drinking water, electricity, roads, sanitation, agriculture and digital connectivity.
He noted that, approximately 25 crore people moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2014 and 2023. He observed that various development and welfare initiatives had contributed to improving the quality of life of millions of people.
Emphasising the importance of connectivity, he said that villages must be linked to towns and cities through improved road and transport infrastructure so that opportunities in education, healthcare, markets and employment reach rural communities.
He also underlined the impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission in creating greater awareness about cleanliness. Referring to improvements in the cleanliness of public spaces, he stressed that cleanliness was not merely the responsibility of the government but a collective responsibility of every citizen.
Stating that farmers’ welfare was directly linked to the country’s food security, he highlighted the importance of supporting the farming community. He referred to the PM-KISAN scheme, under which eligible farmer families receive financial assistance of ₹6,000 annually in three instalments directly into their bank accounts.
The Vice-President observed that Artificial Intelligence, automation and digital technologies were rapidly transforming the world and changing the nature of employment. He urged students to equip themselves with emerging technologies while developing creativity, problem-solving abilities and an entrepreneurial outlook.
He encouraged them to become job creators rather than merely job seekers. Referring to the contemporary relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Swadeshi, he said that promoting domestic manufacturing, indigenous technologies, local industries and innovations by young Indians represented the modern expression of Swadeshi.
The Vice-President called upon the graduating students to use their education and skills not merely for personal advancement but also for the welfare of society. He urged them to make Gandhian values of simplicity, self-reliance, social responsibility and service the guiding principles of their lives.
He also urged students to stay away from drugs and substance abuse and become ambassadors of a drug-free society by creating awareness among their friends, families and communities.
Congratulating Gandhigram Rural Institute on completing fifty years of its journey as a deemed-to-be university, the Vice-President expressed confidence that it would continue to emerge as a leading centre for sustainable rural development, inclusive growth and innovative research.
On the occasion, the Vice-President conferred Honorary Doctorates (Honoris Causa) on three distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields: Thavathiru Kundrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar, renowned spiritual leader and Tamil scholar; Shri S. Nambi Narayanan, former senior aerospace scientist of ISRO; and Professor S. S. M. Sundaram, distinguished academician.
As part of efforts to strengthen the institution’s academic and infrastructure facilities, the Vice-President inaugurated two new buildings, the Examination and Seminar Halls and the Pushpkunj Heritage Building.
He also digitally laid the foundation stones for three projects: a 22 kV Power House and Control Room, an Academic Building for the School of Education, and an Academic Building Complex comprising 30 classrooms.
The Vice-President released the book “Inclusivity of India’s Ageing Population”. He also unveiled a Golden Jubilee Commemorative Postage Stamp and Postal Cover, marking an important milestone in the institution’s journey.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar; Chancellor, Dr. K. M. Annamalai; Vice-Chancellor, Dr. N. Panchanatham; Registrar, Dr. K. Marimuthu; faculty members, researchers, students, parents and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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PR/ASM/VM