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Bring misguided youth on path to peace: Pratibha

Atiq Khan

“We have to divest their minds of hatred”

Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of Lucknow University, T.V. Rajeswar (left), confers the honorary doctorate on President Pratibha Patil at the convocation in Lucknow on Tuesday.

LUCKNOW: Stating that terrorism and communal hatred hampered development, President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday called upon the people to cooperate in fighting terrorism.

“We have to divest the minds of some of our misguided youth of hatred, and bring them to the path of peace, amity and communal harmony.”

The President paid tributes to Delhi police inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was killed in the September 19 encounter with terrorists, and noted the contributions and sacrifices made by security and police personnel.

Delivering the convocation address at the University of Lucknow here, Ms. Patil, who was conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters ( honoris causa), said a mature society was based on respect for all, peaceful co-existence and a caring approach to the under-privileged sections. The President laid stress on freeing society from prejudices, discrimination against women and social evils by changing mindsets.

— Photos: Subir Roy, AP/ Presidential Palace

The President meets Rasoolan Bibi, wife of Abdul Hameed, a soldier who was killed during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

The President said the universities played a vital role in inculcating the spirit of nationalism during the freedom movement and in post-independent India, they contributed significantly to socio-economic development.

Ms. Patil said India was in a phase of transformation as one of the fastest growing economies, having made rapid strides in electronics, computer technology and communication. Business process outsourcing opened up job opportunities for the educated youth.

Pointing out that demand for skilled professionals underlined the importance of higher education, the President said the universities should instil in their students an ability to think critically and analytically.

As education constituted an essential mechanism for combating social exclusion, the universities must adopt a system for changing and amplifying the curriculum to include new fields of knowledge and to respond to the nation’s needs. The universities had to reach out and connect India physically, technologically and emotionally, for which a constant interface between students and communities was an absolute must. The country needed more innovative and dynamic teachers with a multidisciplinary approach.

In his address, Governor-Chancellor T.V. Rajeswar bemoaned the slow pace of universalisation of education, especially with reference to the girl child. Violence against women, restriction on their mobility and traditional role divisions of work continued to restrict women’s choices in education and career.

Vice-Chancellor A.S. Brar said a proposal had been sent to the Planning Commission for converting the university into a Centre of Excellence, considering its sound academic record.

Honour

Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and alumnus R.P. Rastogi was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Science and artiste Chandrashekhar Rath, a Doctor of Literature degree.

Twenty-eight students were awarded medals. One of them, law graduate Babita Singh, won six gold medals.

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