Universities must be active participants in Centre's schemes: Prez

Asking youths to engage with "beautiful, complex and sometimes noisy democracy", President Pranab Mukherjee today said universities should become part of Narendra Modi government's flagship programmes and must adopt at least five villages to develop them as model villages.
Speaking at the 64th convocation of Panjab University, Mukherjee said the central government has launched--Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at a Clean India by 2019; Digital India programme to usher in a digitally-empowered knowledge society and Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) to create model villages through their holistic development.
"Our academic institutions must take active part in these initiatives. They should adopt at least five villages and leverage all academic and other resources to offer solutions to their problems and develop them as model villages," he said in his speech.

The President said "India is a shining example of democratic polity and pluralistic society. Democracy not only gives rights but also entails responsibilities. Educated youth must play a vital role in building a resurgent new India. Your education has given you an opportunity to make a difference. This is the time to engage with our beautiful, complex, and sometimes noisy democracy."
During the function, noted agriculture scientist and Padma Bhushan recipient M S Swaminathan, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and renowned mathematician Manjul Bhargava were conferred honorary degrees (Honoris Causa) for their contribution in their fields.
While Swaminathan was given for his expertise in the field of agriculture, Satyarthi was conferred for his contribution to peace promotion and stopping of child abuse. Bhargava was conferred the degree for his contribution to the field of Algebra in mathematics.