During the 69th annual convocation ceremony at IIT-Kharagpur, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her concerns regarding the absence of any Indian educational institution among the top 50 global rankings. Emphasizing the significance of global recognition, President Murmu urged the institute to prioritize efforts towards achieving higher global rankings, thereby enhancing the country’s international reputation in the realm of education.
President Murmu extended her congratulations to the 3,205 students who were conferred with degrees during the ceremony. Notably, she acknowledged the increasing participation of women in higher education, highlighting that approximately 21% of the degree recipients were female students. Stressing the importance of gender inclusivity in the fields of science and technology, President Murmu emphasized the pivotal role that women play in fostering a robust and progressive society.
In her address, President Murmu underscored the transformative potential of technology in advancing social justice and equality. She commended the role of digital payment systems in simplifying daily transactions and enhancing financial inclusivity, noting its widespread adoption even among smaller merchants.
Looking towards the future, President Murmu articulated the government’s vision of achieving inclusive growth and positioning India as a developed nation by 2047. She called upon the graduating students to leverage innovation and technology as catalysts for societal development, encouraging them to drive groundbreaking initiatives that resonate with the nation’s aspirations.
The convocation ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including IIT Kharagpur director V K Tewari, chairman of board governors T V Narendran, and state minister Manas Bhunia. The event also marked the conferment of honorary awards to distinguished individuals, including renowned Sanskrit scholar Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and other notable personalities for their exemplary contributions in their respective fields.
Furthermore, the institute recognized the achievements of its alumni by presenting Institute gold medals to nine outstanding students and bestowing Life Fellow Awards upon eight esteemed individuals for their significant contributions to their respective domains.
