The North News
Amritsar, January 15
President Droupadi Murmu has said that education should be seen not only as a means of earning a livelihood but as a way of serving society and strengthening the nation. Addressing the convocation ceremony at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar on Thursday, the President told graduating students that while their career paths would differ — ranging from government service and private employment to research, entrepreneurship and teaching — certain values were essential across all professions.
She highlighted lifelong learning, integrity, honesty, moral courage, adaptability, teamwork and disciplined use of time and resources as qualities that help individuals progress in any field. Using knowledge for the greater good, rather than for personal gain alone, she said, was what turned a professional into a responsible citizen.
President Murmu urged students to remember that society plays a crucial role in enabling education, and that graduates therefore carry a responsibility to give back. Supporting those left behind in the development process, she said, was one meaningful way of repaying this social debt. Referring to India’s recent progress, the President said the past decade had seen major advances in technology and a growing culture of entrepreneurship. From agriculture and artificial intelligence to defence and space, she said young people now had access to unprecedented opportunities. She added that higher education institutions could further accelerate this progress by promoting research, strengthening links between academia and industry, and encouraging innovations that address social needs.
Turning to regional concerns, President Murmu said drug abuse had emerged as a serious challenge in Punjab, particularly affecting the youth and damaging the social and moral fabric of society. She stressed that educational institutions such as Guru Nanak Dev University had a vital role to play in guiding young people and helping them choose constructive paths.
She said the next two decades would be crucial in achieving the goal of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), and that the country’s future depended on young citizens with a scientific outlook, a sense of responsibility and a commitment to selfless service. Universities, she said, must help instil these values.
The President also referred to the legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, noting that the university was established during the 500th birth anniversary of the Sikh Guru. She said his teachings — including equality, compassion and service to humanity — remained relevant and offered solutions to many of today’s social challenges.
Highlighting the Guru’s emphasis on gender equality, President Murmu welcomed the strong participation of women students at the convocation. She said women’s empowerment was essential for the progress of society and the nation, and called for continued efforts to ensure women had the confidence and opportunities to move forward.
