Munish Sood
Dharamshala
C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Vice President of India, attended the 9th convocation ceremony of Central University of Himachal Pradesh in Kangra on Saturday, where he awarded degrees and medals to meritorious students and highlighted the crucial role of youth in shaping the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to actively contribute to nation-building. He emphasized that students and young professionals will be among the most important stakeholders in transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
According to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sat Prakash Bansal, a total of 802 students received degrees at the convocation, including 420 female students and 382 male students. The degrees awarded included 37 PhDs, 665 postgraduate (PG), 89 undergraduate (UG), and 11 MPhil degrees.
In recognition of academic excellence, 52 meritorious students were honoured with gold medals. In keeping with the university’s tradition, students attended the ceremony dressed in traditional Indian attire while receiving their degrees.
During his address, the Vice President described Himachal Pradesh as both Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi, noting that the state has made a significant contribution to the country’s armed forces. He also praised the region for its rich culture, traditions and warm hospitality.
Earlier in the day, the Vice President visited the State War Memorial Museum Dharamshala in Dharamshala, where he paid floral tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. Observing a moment of silence, he honoured the courage and supreme sacrifice of soldiers who laid down their lives to safeguard the country’s borders.
He said the hills and valleys of Himachal Pradesh have produced generations of brave soldiers whose courage, valour and patriotism have brought pride to the nation. The Vice President added that the sacrifices of these soldiers will remain etched in the nation’s memory and will continue to inspire future generations to serve the country and uphold its highest values.
Highlighting the role of higher education, he stressed that modern universities must prioritize faculty development, encourage innovation and strengthen collaboration to build a globally competitive education system. He also called for inclusive growth, stating that no state or section of society should be left behind in the nation’s development journey.
Kavinder Gupta, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, was also present at the convocation as a special guest. Extensive security arrangements were put in place in view of the Vice President’s visit, with temporary restrictions imposed on aerial activities such as paragliding, drone flying and hot-air ballooning in parts of Dharamshala, Kangra, Shahpur and Palampur to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
