Adopt “nation first” as guiding principle: Vice President to students

Patna, Apr 4: Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan Saturday urged students to adopt the guiding principle of “Nation First” and appealed to the youth to take a firm stand against substance abuse and work towards building a healthy and strong society.
Addressing the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University at Motihari, East Champaran, Bihar, C. P. Radhakrishnan noted that Champaran holds a special place in India’s history, as it was here that Mahatma Gandhi transformed from a barrister into a mass leader rooted in India’s villages, and the Champaran Satyagraha awakened the conscience of the nation through truth, courage and justice.
Highlighting Bihar’s rich intellectual and spiritual heritage, the Vice President said that in this sacred land Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, where the ancient Nalanda University stood as a beacon of global learning, and where great thinkers like Chanakya emerged.
The Vice President said that the naming of Mahatma Gandhi Central University is deeply symbolic, reflecting a commitment to Gandhiji’s ideals of social justice, rural upliftment and ethical leadership. He also recalled the contribution of Maharani Janaki Kunwar, whose philanthropy and donation of land played an important role in the establishment of educational institutions in the region, and said that such visionary generosity strengthens the foundation of education and social progress.
The Vice President expressed happiness that the University has implemented the National Education Policy 2020 and introduced new integrated courses. He appreciated the establishment of the Indian Knowledge Systems Centre and the University’s emphasis on sports and fitness under the Fit India Movement. He also expressed happiness that the University toppers in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes are women students, describing it as a reflection of the progress of women-led development in the country.
Addressing the graduating students, the Vice President said that convocation marks not the end of education but the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. He emphasised that in a rapidly changing world driven by technology, fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science are opening new avenues of innovation and growth, and urged students to use technology responsibly for nation-building.
The Vice President urged students to adopt the guiding principle of “Nation First” and appealed to the youth to take a firm stand against substance abuse and work towards building a healthy and strong society. He said that in today’s world, Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence remains highly relevant and must guide not only our actions but also our behaviour in the digital world.
The Governor of Bihar, Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain. (Retd.); Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh; Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Samrat Chaudhary; Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey; Education Minister of Bihar, Sunil Kumar; Member of Parliament, East Champaran, Radha Mohan Singh; Chancellor of the University, Dr. Mahesh Sharma; along with senior officials of the University, faculty members, students and their parents, were present on the occasion.
The Vice President also visited Charkha Park and the Mahatma Gandhi Satyagraha Smarak at Motihari and paid floral tributes, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership during the Champaran Satyagraha and recalling his enduring message of truth, non-violence and service to the nation.