Friyana Munshi
West Bengal, February 23, 2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 66th Convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Kharagpur on 23 February 2021. The Prime Minister addressed the students and teachers of the institute through video conferencing. The Governor of West Bengal, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Union Minister of State for Education was also present on the occasion.
The PM said “After graduating from this institute, you not only need to focus on your future, but you also have to look after the future of our nation by keeping an eye on the present. The government has freed the map and geospatial data from control. The move will greatly strengthen the tech startup ecosystem. This step will also intensify the campaign for a self-reliant India. This step will provide new freedom to young start-ups and innovators of the country.”
PM Modi further stated “Be it Internet or Modern Construction Technology, IIT Kharagpur is doing commendable work. Software solutions of IIT Kharagpur has proven useful for the country in the fight against Corona. Now, there is a need to work fast on the futuristic solutions of Health Tech.”
PM Modi on the topic of solar power said “Today India is among those countries where the cost of solar power is extremely low per unit. But there are still many challenges to deliver solar power from door to door. India needs technology that minimizes damage to the environment, is durable and people can use it more easily. The situation of 21st century India has also changed, needs have also changed and aspirations have also changed. Now IITs need to be taken to the next level in the case of Institutes of Indigenous Technologies, not just Indian Institutes of Technology.”
Further encouraging the students, PM Modi said, “All of you, on the path of science, technology, and innovation, there is no room for haste. You may not get complete success in the innovation you are working on. But your failures will also be considered as success because you will learn something from them as well. The path of life now you are on will surely also make you face many questions. Like – this path is it right or wrong, Am I losing something, and is all my time and effort being wasted? Many such questions will arise in your mind. The answer to these questions is – Self three. Self-Awareness, Self-Confidence and Selflessness. You should recognize your potential and move forward, move ahead with full confidence, move ahead with selflessness. Being an engineer, a capability develops in you and that is the ability to move things from patterns to patents. In a way, you have the vision to see subjects in more detail.”
Addressing the 66th convocation of IIT Kharagpur, PM Modi said, ‘By leaving this campus, you not only have to start your new life but you also have to create start-ups that will change the lives of crores of people of the country. This degree, this medal in your hand, is an aspiration letter of millions of hopes, which you must fulfill.’
It was stated that the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at IIT Kharagpur today. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Institute of Medical Sciences and Research is a super specialty hospital established by the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur with the support of the Minister of Education.
All citizens, teachers, and students can watch this video conference of PM Narendra Modi through the official Twitter handle of the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as via YouTube.