Vice-President of India Lauds Pivotal Role Played by IITs in the Country’s Development Story

(Photo: Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing IIT Delhi students)

New Delhi: The Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, visited IIT Delhi on Wednesday and addressed the students, faculty, and staff members of the Institute.

While interacting with the students, the Hon'ble Vice President of India said, “It is an absolute delight and privilege to be amongst you all. In a country of 1.4 billion, you have such a gathering of brilliant minds, you have got into this place by taking one of the toughest examinations on the planet, and it is indeed a delightful moment for me.

IIT makes a difference in your life and it sure will. In turn you are bound to make an impactful, affirmative, meaningful difference in the lives of people and humanity. IIT alumni have done that very commendably. It is known to the world and the world has recognised it”.

The Vice-President said, “This institution with a rich legacy of Excellence has been a beacon of light in India's educational landscape for over six decades. It has produced some of the brightest minds that have gone on to shape the destiny of not just this country but of the world. Friends, you are part of an imminent institution of the world and we do not need any calibration or certification from outside. This Institute is one of the best in the world.”

The Vice-President lauded the IITs for the pivotal role they have played in India's development story.

“IITs have played a pivotal role in India's development story from generating new knowledge by engagement in cutting-edge research, and there are ample instances of it. They have changed the way our country is, the research in these institutions; promoting academic growth and developing human potential to its fullest extent. IITs have been crucible in which the minds have been transformed India and the world were forged, the number is endless. Leaders of major organisations in India and across the globe proudly wear the badge of IIT”, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar said.

The Vice-President said that IITs today are the most acknowledged brands across countries. “In my interaction with foreign leaders, I was overwhelmed when very passionately one of them wanted an IIT Campus in his country, which speaks volumes of the reputation the institution has. IIT Madras has embarked on this journey already, MoU has been signed with Tanzania, to set up a campus in Zanzibar. I am given to understand by your Director that you are on the way to having one such campus in the Middle East”, said Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The Hon'ble Vice-President lauded the contributions of IIT Delhi during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The contribution of IITs was available to this country when the world faced Covid pandemic. Your IIT is single out for that. Rising to the challenge of containing the virus, I am told that IIT Delhi initiated important research and development projects. The thrust of your Director to engage into these activities was seen by me briefly when I interacted with him. I can tell you I have told the faculty and the Director that I will act as a foot soldier and student of this IIT to generate any interaction which I am capable of, the ones they have suggested, those interactions are in my domain they will fructify in a time bound manner”.

Addressing the students, the Vice-President said, “All students before me, you are foot soldiers! You are warriors of Bharat at 2047! You will be shaping Bharat destiny by the time you reach 2047. It is your responsibility to neutralize all anti-Bharat narratives, and that is required to be done in a vigilant manner".

“Alumni of IITs, IIMs and leading Institutes of excellence in our country, they constitute a real reservoir of power, talent, exposure, experience. They must converge into a federation. There must be Federation of Alumni’s Associations of IIT, IIMs so that they can give guidance and enlighten people and enlighten policy makers to enlighten Parliamentarians on which way to go. When we have such a reservoir available to us by the way of rich gifted human resources why should we not avail the opportunity. That's my appeal,” the Vice-President of India said.  

Speech of the Hon’ble Vice-President at IIT Delhi (Excerpts):

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1970909

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Press Release issued on- October 25, 2023