The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the 56th Convocation of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in Mumbai today as the Chief Guest and also delivered the Convocation Address.
The Prime Minister credited the success of the IITs alumni in the creation of several engineering colleges around the country, which led to India becoming one of the world’s largest pools of technical manpower. He said that it is a large number of IIT students who built the IT sector in India brick by brick, or rather, click by click.
The PM said that IIT graduates are at the forefront of some of the best start-ups in India. These are start-ups that are also at the forefront of solving so many national problems. He observed that the biggest corporations of today were start-ups of yesterday and spoke of the need to persist until one achieves success.
Speaking of innovation, the PM said that the best ideas come not from Government buildings or fancy offices, but in campuses like that of IITs, in the minds of youngsters studying in such campuses. He invited students to Innovate in India, innovate for humanity.
Assuring the audience that the Government is doing everything possible to foster a spirit of research and innovation in India. From mitigating climate change to ensuring better agricultural productivity, From cleaner energy to water conservation, From combating malnutrition to effective waste management, The PM exhorted the students to affirm that the best ideas will come from Indian laboratories and from Indian students.
Dr. Romesh T. Wadhawani, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Symphony Technology Group, alumni of IIT was bestowed by the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa). He was awarded this title for his efforts at creating a social impact through the use of technology.
The PM also laid the foundation stone for the new building of the Department of Energy Science & Engineering, and Centre for Environmental Science & Engineering.
Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar; His Excellency, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri. CH. Vidyasagar Rao, and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis were also present on the occasion, as guests of Honour.
The graduating students this year include 308* PhDs, 54 Dual Degrees (MTech/Mphil+PhD) and 32 Dual Degrees (Msc+PhD). Out of these, 36 research scholars were selected for the ‘Award of Excellence in Ph.D. Thesis’ for the year 2018. In addition, 29 joint Ph.D. degrees, in association with Monash University were also conferred by the Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, Prof. Margaret Gardner, who was present on the occasion.
For the full text of Prime Minister’s address on convocation of IIT Mumbai is available here.
The Director, IIT Bombay, Prof. D. V. Khakar welcomed the Chief Guest and went on to present the Director’s Report, highlighting the significant shifts the institute has undergone over the 60 years since its inception. The increased focus on postgraduate education and research, the inclusion of management and design education, work on rural technologies are some of these, he said.
The Director said that to be honored with the status of ‘Institution of Eminence’ by the Government of India in the Diamond Jubilee Year is an occasion to celebrate the institute’s achievements and embark on new initiatives.
LIFESTYLES OF MUMBAI 