‘Let It Be’ Vs ‘Let’s Do It’ Mindset Differentiates New India From Old: Rajnath Singh In Assam

Guwahati: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the difference between new and old India is about the way of thinking. While delivering his convocation address as the chief guest at Tezpur University’s 21st convocation in Assam’s Sonitpur district, the Defence Minister said that earlier, it was ‘let it be mindset’ but now, it is ‘let’s do it approach.’

Appreciating Tezpur University’s efforts in providing quality education, Defence Minister Singh explained the meaning of convocation as ‘Dikshant.’ The Defence Minister explained that during a student’s academic journey, they are taught life skills and values to face challenges of life and that is why it is called Dikshant. Minister Singh urged the students to focus on the essence of practical knowledge and the pivotal role of character development, the media cell of Tezpur University stated in a press release.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda, the Defence Minister said that in the western countries, a tailor makes a gentleman, but in Bharat, character makes a gentleman.

Defence Minister Singh’s discourse extended beyond academic realms to showcase India’s multifaceted development, encompassing both economic growth and advancements in medical infrastructure. He discussed the vision of a new India and articulated the government’s initiative to bolster domestic defence manufacturing, the release stated.

Underscoring the significant role of youth in making the country ‘Viksit Bharat,’ the Defence Minister said that the idea of making India an economic and military superpower is based on confidence in the capabilities of talented youth. He said that to empower the youth and enhance their capabilities, the government has promoted start-up culture and innovation ecosystem. In regard to a proposal of starting a centre for defence studies named after Ahom General Lachit Borphukan at Tezpur University, Defence Minister Singh directed the university authorities to submit a proposal, the release added.

Presiding over the ceremony, Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University Prof Shambhu Nath Singh urged the graduating students to be the flag bearers of the institution. “I believe that you will uphold the pride of this institution with character and conviction, so that the world tomorrow will see and celebrate Tezpur University,” Prof Singh said.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the university, the Vice Chancellor informed that the university is putting its best efforts to fulfill national and regional aspirations, and in this regard, it has explored several collaborations to excel in quality research and innovations. Prof Singh said that the notable among them are collaborations with Canada’s Dalhousie University, Mongolian National University of Education and the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. “We have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-Guwahati) to fulfill regional aspirations,” Prof Singh added.

Drawing reference to National Education Policy (NEP), Prof Singh said that most of the academic programmes offered by the university are aligned with NEP. He said that all the departments offer Open Elective (OE) and NEP introduced value-added, skills enhancement, multidisciplinary and ability enhancement courses. 

The Vice Chancellor was glad to inform the university’s inclusive approach to education. “We are having students from various backgrounds, regions and communities, and the university has a healthy 45:55 female-male gender ratio,” Prof Singh said.

A total of 1,355 students had been conferred upon degrees and diplomas during the convocation of which, 110 received PhD, 785 postgraduate, 432 undergraduate, five postgraduate diplomas and 23 were awarded degrees and diplomas through distance and open learning mode, the release further said.