NE EDUCATION BUREAU
DINDIGUL (TN), NOV 11
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “My message to the youth graduating today is – You are the builders of New India. You have the responsibility of leading India for the next 25 years in its Amrit Kaal.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 36th Convocation Ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu on Friday. More than 2300 students of 2018-19 and 2019-20 Batches received their degrees in the convocation ceremony. This was followed by the Prime Minister awarding gold medals to the winners and honoris causa to the deserving candidates.
- More than 2300 students of 2018-19 and 2019-20 Batches received their degrees in the convocation ceremony.
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- Tamil Nadu has always been the home of national consciousness: PM
- Kashi Tamil Sangamam is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat in action: Modi
- India working towards ending urban-rural divide: PM Modi in Tamil Nadu
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that coming to Gandhigram has been a very inspirational experience for him and recalled that the institution was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. He remarked that one can witness the spirit of Mahatama’s ideals and ideas of rural development in the institution. The Prime Minister mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals have become extremely relevant in today’s day and age, be it ending conflicts or climate crises, and his ideas have answers to many challenges and burning issues that the world faces today.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the students of the Gandhian way of life have a great opportunity to make a huge impact and pointed out that the best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi is to work on ideas close to his heart. The Prime Minister gave the examples of ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion’ that revived the neglected and forgotten fabric after a long time. He informed that in the last 8 years, the sales of the Khadi sector saw an increase of over 300%.
“Khadi and Village Industries Commission clocked a record turnover of over Rs 1 lakh crore last year.” He continued, “Now, even global fashion brands are taking to Khadi due to its eco-friendly characteristics. “This is not a revolution of mass production but a revolution of production by the masses.” Recalling how Mahatma Gandhi saw Khadi as a tool of self-reliance in villages, the Prime Minister said that the government is inspired by him, as we are working towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. “Tamil Nadu was a key centre of the Swadeshi movement. It will once again play an important role in Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, the Prime Minister added.
Highlighting the Centre’s efforts towards rural development, Narendra Modi said that the country is working towards bridging the gap between urban and rural India.
“Ensuring proper sanitation was a great concern for Gandhiji. In this direction, our government provided complete rural sanitation coverage, over 6 crore tap water connections and over 2.5 crore electricity connections. Rural roads are being developed, and development is reaching the doorsteps of people.”
The PM said sustainable agriculture is crucial for the future of rural areas. “There is great enthusiasm for natural farming as it reduces country’s dependence on fertilizer imports. It is also good both for soil and human health,” he said.
Recalling the time when thousands of villagers came to a train to have a glimpse of Gandhi Ji the Prime Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi fought for a united and independent India and Gandhigram itself is a story of India’s unity. “Tamil Nadu has always been the home of national consciousness,” he said and recalled when Swami Vivekananda received a hero’s welcome on his return from the west. Mentioning Late General Bipin Rawat, the Prime Minister remembered hearing the chants of ‘Veera Vanakkam’.
The Prime Minister drew everyone’s attention to Kashi Tamil Sangamam which is going to take place in Kashi soon and said that it will celebrate the bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. “This is Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat in action. This love and respect for each other is the basis of our unity”, he remarked.
Recalling the sacrifices of Rani Velu Nachiyar, the Prime Minister mentioned that she stayed here while she was preparing to fight the British. “Today, I am in a region which has seen the power of Nari Shakti. I see young women graduating here as the biggest changemakers. You will help rural women succeed. Their success is the nation’s success.” he remarked.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi also presented an honorary doctorate to music maestro Ilayaraja.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Governor RN Ravi, Union Minister of State Dr L Murugan, Chancellor Dr K M Annamalai and Vice-Chancellor Prof Gurmeet Singh were those present on occasion among others.
