Youth’s role critical in building Viksit Bharat: Vice President

Chennai, Jan 2: Vice-President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, Friday addressed the 34th Convocation Ceremony of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, as the Chief Guest.
Extending New Year greetings, the Vice President congratulated the graduating students and said that convocation marks the beginning of a new phase of life with greater responsibilities and opportunities. He expressed confidence that the graduates would contribute positively to society through professional competence, compassion, and commitment.
Recalling Tamil Nadu’s historic role as a centre of knowledge and maritime trade, C.P.Radhakrishnan said that merchants from these shores carried India’s ideas, ethics, and culture across the world, reflecting the nation’s confident civilisational engagement and openness to learning and exchange.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vice President said that achieving the goal requires the active participation of every citizen, particularly the youth, and called upon students to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
Emphasising rapid technological change, he said that Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming all sectors and stressed the need for continuous learning. He urged students to upskill regularly, adopt a lifelong learning mindset, and engage with new technologies, even beyond their core disciplines.
Highlighting the importance of value-based education, Shri C.P.Radhakrishnan said that academic excellence must be anchored in ethics, integrity, and social responsibility.
Advising students on life beyond the campus, the Vice-President said that success and failure are integral to life and urged them to face both with balance, resilience and mental strength. He advised against shortcuts and unhealthy comparisons, and encouraged graduates to set clear goals, progress steadily, and recognise their unique strengths.
Concluding his address, the Vice-President called upon the graduates to lead lives of purpose and service, and to contribute to individual excellence and collective national progress.
The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ma. Subramanian; the Chancellor of Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Dr. A. C. Shanmugam; and other dignitaries were present at the event.