Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today exhorted students to strive for an inclusive society and ensure that the poorest of the poor find a voice.
Addressing the 91st Annual Convocation of University of Delhi, Jung said the youth's forthrightness and openness to accept viewpoints of others and an intrinsic belief in an inclusive society will lead the society to peace.
"Giving space to others materially or in thought is a big challenge. In a developing country such as ours, when the size of the cake is limited, we tend to first think of ourselves and of our own clans and kin," he said.
Noting that the country had been blessed with great leaders and thinkers, Jung said it was now a task of the youth to build the future of the country and for that they should not only dream big but achieve them as well.
"You are the generation which would take us forward. You are the young who need to ensure that the poorest of the poor will find voice in the society," he said.
He also asked the student to embrace the values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity ingrained in the Constitution of the country.
Recalling his days as a student of Delhi University, Jung said his time at St Stephen's College not only taught him to think but made him realise that there were several avenues in life and one can do whatever they want.
"I left this university 41 years ago. What I am today is thanks to this university. It has been blessed with great teachers and with great traditions and I hope that each and every one of you here will feel the onus on you to take forward the traditions of this great institution," Jung said.
In his address, Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh praised Jung for his contribution as an educator in his roles as Jamia Millia Islamia's Vice Chancellor and chairman of a core committee of VCs appointed by the Human Resource Development ministry.
He also appreciated Jung's leadership skills and highlighted the various initiatives taken by him as Lt Governor of Delhi.
Making an apparent reference to the much debated four- year undergraduate programme, Singh said it was Jung's advice that gave the university the confidence to go ahead with education reforms that had caused "much debate, thunder and noise" at a "critical time" when it was not sure which path to take.
Over 350 PhDs were awarded besides other degrees.
Eight medals were also presented at the convocation ceremony held at the university campus here.
