PM Modi Urges IIT Delhi Graduates to Drive India’s Technological, Economic Transformation
New Delhi, Aug 8 (TNT): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon graduates of IIT Delhi to use their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities to address emerging national challenges and contribute to India’s development over the next three decades.
Addressing the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi here, Modi said an IIT degree was not merely an academic qualification or a route to a lucrative placement but a recognition of the graduate’s ability to solve complex problems.
He urged the graduating students to continuously upgrade their skills amid rapid technological and geopolitical changes, saying those who keep learning would be best placed to succeed in the evolving global landscape.
The Prime Minister said the challenges graduates would face in their professional lives would often be “out of syllabus” and encouraged them to identify problems that society had stopped questioning and develop solutions for them.
Modi asked the graduates to align their career decisions with the country’s developmental requirements and contribute to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation.
Highlighting the government’s focus on self-reliance and youth-led innovation, he said reforms had opened several previously restricted sectors to young entrepreneurs and innovators.
He cited the space, semiconductor, drone and startup sectors as examples of areas where young Indians were creating new opportunities.
The Prime Minister said the opening up of the space sector had enabled private players and young engineers to design and launch rockets, while advances in semiconductor manufacturing were strengthening India’s technological capabilities.
He also highlighted the growth of drone applications in agriculture, healthcare and defence, besides the expansion of startups, digital payments and fintech.
Looking ahead, Modi identified Artificial Intelligence, data centres, critical minerals, deep-sea exploration, quantum computing and energy security as areas offering significant opportunities for young professionals and researchers.
He emphasised the need for greater investment in research and innovation, referring to initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, with a funding target of up to Rs 1 lakh crore.
Modi also highlighted the One Nation One Subscription initiative, aimed at providing access to international research journals to students and researchers across the country.
The Prime Minister advised graduates not to compare their salaries, placements or entrepreneurial achievements with those of their peers, particularly in the age of social media.
“Life is absolutely not a leaderboard; your real race is not with anyone else, it is with yourself,” he said, urging students to focus on continuous self-improvement and their physical and mental well-being.
Recalling his earlier virtual participation in an IIT Delhi convocation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi said he was pleased to be physically present at the institute and congratulated the graduating students, medal winners, parents, faculty members and support staff.
He also urged the graduates to value the relationships and experiences built during their time at the institution, saying these would remain a source of strength as they assumed greater responsibilities.
The Prime Minister concluded by calling upon the graduating students to use their education, innovation and leadership abilities to contribute to India’s development and help the country achieve its long-term national goals.
TNT KS
