President Murmu Urges Andhra Pradesh Graduates to Treat Education as a Lifelong Journey, Not a Finish Line
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President Droupadi Murmu addressed the first-ever convocation of the Central University of Andhra Pradesh, held near Ananthapuramu, marking a major milestone for the young institution and its graduating batch. This was her second such engagement in the region, having earlier taken part in a similar ceremony at the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh in Visakhapatnam.
Speaking to the graduates, President Murmu said that receiving a degree should not be seen as an endpoint but as the start of a longer journey of learning. She stressed that in a world being rapidly reshaped by technologies such as artificial intelligence, the ability to keep learning and adapting would matter more than ever, both for individual careers and for the country's progress.
She specially noted that young women had outperformed young men in winning gold medals at the convocation, calling it a sign of the growing ambitions and achievements of girls across the country.
The President reminded students that their degrees represented not just personal effort but also the sacrifices of families, the support of teachers, and the backing of society at large. She encouraged them to look beyond personal success and use their education to make a difference in the lives of others, whether through careers in science, entrepreneurship, government service, or social work.
Along with academic knowledge, Murmu emphasised the importance of character. She said qualities like honesty, empathy, compassion, and respect for the environment were essential for graduates to become responsible citizens, not just skilled professionals.
Looking ahead, she expressed confidence that the Central University of Andhra Pradesh could grow into a major centre of higher education and research in India. She linked the role of universities directly to the country's broader roadmap of becoming a developed nation by 2047, describing higher education institutions as central to achieving that goal.
Murmu concluded by describing India's youth as the nation's biggest asset, urging the graduating class to pair their academic knowledge with integrity, creativity, and a genuine commitment to serving society.
Why it matters
This address is more than a routine convocation speech, it reflects a broader national push to link higher education with India's long-term development goals, especially the government's vision of a developed India by 2047. By highlighting adaptability to technologies like AI, the President is pointing to how universities must prepare students for a fast-changing job market. Her remark on girls outperforming boys in gold medals also reflects wider conversations about gender progress in Indian higher education, particularly in newer, regionally significant institutions like the Central University of Andhra Pradesh.
Test yourself
1. Where was the first convocation of the Central University of Andhra Pradesh held?
2. According to President Murmu, what should a university degree mark?
3. Which emerging technology did President Murmu specifically mention as transforming various fields?
4. What notable achievement did President Murmu highlight regarding gender performance at the convocation?
5. Which values did President Murmu emphasize as essential for responsible citizenship?
6. What long-term national vision did President Murmu connect higher education institutions to?
7. Which career paths did President Murmu suggest graduates could pursue to help society?
8. What did President Murmu say about the achievements reflected in the graduates' degrees?
9. Which university did President Murmu visit earlier for a similar ceremony, as mentioned in the source?
10. According to President Murmu, what is India's greatest strength?
Your notes
Source: The Hindu