Modi urges students to work collectively for progress

State chief minister Narendra Modi has called upon the youth of the country to tap their potential to take the country firmly on the path of progress.

Modi was speaking at the 36th annual convocation of the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) on Sunday.

Modi said, "Being young is the most attractive phase of one's life, but being young in India is a great opportunity. It is likely that the youth of western countries is more attractive and impressive, but there is no doubt that the 21st century belongs to India."

"With 70 per cent population comprising youths, India is one of the youngest countries in the world. We have always been ahead of the other nations as far as knowledge is concerned. The youth of the country can make full use of the knowledge, and work collectively to open the doors of development," he said. Modi rued the fact that education has lost its importance in recent years.

"Today education has become more of job and degree oriented, and is gradually losing its importance. The youths need to realise that education is not just limited to a job or a degree. Education, which does not teach how to live, is worthless," he said.

"We need to change our thinking, and combine our youth power and knowledge power, to lead the world on the path of development," he added.

Gujarat governor Navalkishore Sharma, who presided over the convocation ceremony, said, "There is no dearth of resources in India. There are plenty of hard-working and efficient people. The country is home to the best of talents. Many people of Indian origin have made a name for themselves in foreign countries, and there is no doubt that the 21st century will belong to India."

"President A P J Abdul Kalam has a vision of making India a developed nation by 2020. Our annual gross domestic product growth is 6.5 per cent, but to become a developed nation, it should be 10 per cent. It is difficult but certainly not impossible," he said.

"There are 26 crore people in the country, living below the poverty line. There are four crore people, who are unemployed. There are a lot of challenges before the country, but we need to overcome these, to become a developed nation," the governor said.

"Universities can play a major role in achieving this goal. Surat is a major centre for textile and diamond industries. Universities such as VNSGU are introducing several courses, but there is also a need to pay attention towards starting courses related to textile, diamond and other industries, which would help provide employment to a number of people," he said.

"India has a bright future and we have no doubt that the 21st century belongs to it, but everything would depend on whether we are able to latch on to the opportunities or not," he added.

Earlier, 19,603 students were awarded degrees during the convocation. Medals and prizes were also awarded to some of the bright students by the dignitaries.