President of India graces Closing Ceremony of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of IIT Delhi
IITs have been the pride of the nation: President Murmu
The
President said that the IITs proved to the world the capability of India in the
domains of education and technology. In more than one way, the story of the
IITs is the story of Independent India. The IITs have contributed immensely to
India’s improved standing on the global stage today. Faculty and alumni of IITs
have shown the world our brainpower. Some of those who studied in IIT Delhi and
in other IITs are now at the forefront of the digital revolution sweeping the
world. Moreover, the impact of IITs has gone beyond science and technology.
IITians are leaders in every walk of life – in education, industry,
entrepreneurship, civil society, activism, journalism, literature and politics.
The
President noted that as one of the original IITs, IIT Delhi is a mentor to some
of the recent members of the club - IIT Ropar and IIT Jammu. Thus, the IIT
Delhi has contributed significantly in building up of the image of the IITs as
centres of excellence across the world, she said.
The
President was happy to note that the IIT Delhi has always seen itself as part
of the larger community and it has been extra sensitive to its responsibility
towards society. She said that the latest example of its social concern was
seen during the initial phase of the pandemic. Rising to the challenge of
containing the virus, the IIT Delhi initiated important research and
development projects. It designed and developed rapid antigen test kits, PPEs,
antimicrobial fabrics, high efficiency face masks and low-cost ventilators,
among other things. The IIT Delhi’s contribution in India’s fight against the
Coronavirus has been a model of how engineering and technology institutions too
can play a role in a public health crisis.
The
President said that by 2047, when we will celebrate the centenary of
Independence, the world around us will have changed drastically, thanks to the
Fourth Industrial Revolution. Just as we were in no position 25 years ago to
imagine the contemporary world, we cannot visualise today how Artificial
Intelligence and automation are going to transform life. With our high
population numbers, we need to have a foresight and strategies in place to deal
with the forces of the future where disruptions will be a new normal. The
nature of employment will get completely changed.
The
President said that if we take steps to protect ourselves from vagaries of the
future, we can reap rich demographic dividends. We need to make our institutes
adaptable to the future. This will require a new teaching-learning matrix,
pedagogy and content which are future-oriented. She expressed confidence that
with our famed IITs, we will be able to nurture the younger generation with
necessary knowledge base and right skills to face the challenge.
Pointing to
the fact that climate change poses a serious challenge, the President said that
as a developing country with a high population base, our energy requirement for
economic growth is very high. Hence we need to shift from fossil fuels to
renewable energy. She said that in the years to come, as the world anxiously
looks for technological solutions to environmental challenges, she trusts
India’s young engineers and scientists will help humankind achieve a
breakthrough.
Speaking on the occasion Pradhan expressed
gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for her guidance. It will further
motivate our education fraternity in realizing the goals of AmritKaal, he said.
The Minister congratulated IIT Delhi on its
illustrious 60 years journey. It has played a crucial role in furthering
national progress, he added.
Pradhan said that inauguration of the Research
& Innovation Park today will further add momentum to amplifying the
societal impact of R&D at IIT D.
He further said that it is a matter of great
pride that today many developed countries are evincing interest towards
establishing and hosting offshore IIT campuses in their countries. This is a
reflection of the prowess, strength and quality of our prestigious IITs, he
added.
The Minister highlighted that India, today, is
on a growth path led by innovation. It accounts for the largest number of
real-time digital transactions in the world. Indigenously developed 5G is
further going to catalyze the digital revolution in India. Our IITs are
epicenters of modern economy. They must reimagine their roles, he added.
He urged that IIT Delhi must strive to establish
India at the forefront of industry 4.0. They must prepare students for
providing solutions to challenges of the future and also for taking
responsibility of the world, he added.
Pradhan
appreciated IIT Delhi’s keenness to become a knowledge partner of our ‘Temple
of Democracy.’ He further said that we must work together to further strengthen
academia, industry and policy-maker connect to realise 21st century aspirations
and make India the number one economy in the world.
Pradhan stressed that the ‘Panch Pran’ outlined
by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a developed nation by 2047
also lays down the future roadmap for our academic institutions. He urged that
IITs must accept the challenges and move forward with bigger resolves for
realising national goals.