Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam graces the 3rd Convocation of NIT Hamirpur
Hamirpur: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, delivering his Convocation Address on the 3rd Convocation of National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur, on NIT a partner in national development emphasized the need for a creative leadership in different disciplines exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the commander to the coach, manager to mentor, from director to delegation, and from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect.
Former President spoke in detail about system integration, engineering and management, integrated mission for economic development of Himachal Pradesh, dimensions of knowledge society, distinctive profile of India by2020, integrated action plan for developed India, national mission and opportunities i.e. Infrastructure, Energy, Safe Drinking Water, Health Care, Pharma Vision, Information and Communication Technology, Aero Space Field, Automobiles, Shipbuilding, Rail Vision-2030, PURA Mission etc. He said that all above had social, research and technological content with substantial amount of opportunities for engineers and technocrats leading to cost effective economic growth of the nation in the globalized scenario.
Dr. Kalam congratulated the State Government for creating quality infrastructure of basic amenities like road, electricity, drinking water and health services in the villages, which were basic ingredients to make HP a role model state in real sense.
He advised NIT to work out strategies for the per capita income of employable people of Hamirpur by knowledge empowerment and facilitating the creation of small and micro industries based on the raw material and core competence available. He said that Hamirpur topography suited most to bio-diesel plant cultivation and NIT need to encourage people participation in the same. He emphasized the need to adopt all local 20 senior secondary schools for quality education enhancement as also create energy independence plan for the district through micro-hydel plants, solar energy systems, bio-mass fed plants and wind power, whichever was possible, and also carry dense afforestation of the district to make it fossil fuels free.
Dr. Kalam advised the young NIT engineers to form working groups on each of the pillars of development profile and come out with suggestion as to how an academic institution like NIT, and engineering profession can contribute to each of the pillars. He described threadbare the distinctive profile of India by 2020, making India prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy, and continue with a sustainable growth path to make it the best place to live in and to be proud of its leaderships.
Dr. Kalam awarded medals to outstanding NIT graduates.
Earlier Dr. Kalam dedicated the new Computer Centre to the students of NIT in the presence of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister. He also interacted with the local school children drawn from various schools of the district in NIT complex organized by the District Administration where he was welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Jain.
Addressing the Convocation after he welcomed Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India to Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, gave a clarion call to the engineering fraternity to respect the environmental requirements of meeting the quality and relevance in technical education on the one hand and on the other they would be required to respond to the state’s needs for technological innovations in solving problems relating to harnessing of its ‘White Gold’, viz, the vast hydro power potential and also to provide platform o the industrial units for getting need based research carried out.
Chief Minister emphasized the need not to let enthusiasm and spirit get mauled. He said that engineers build the country and no programme without their active involvement was possible. He said that engineers needed to perform their role and discharge their functions with a sense of devotion and commitment that was expected of those who embark upon nation building. He said that the engineers were responsible to build industrial muscles and sinew of the country.
He also awarded meritorious graduates with medals.
Dr. R.L.Chauhan, Chairman of the Governing Body of NIT declared the 3rd Convocation open and introduced Chief Guest former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to the Convocation and welcomed all the distinguished dignitaries.
Dr. I.K. Bhatt, Director NIT, welcomed the Chief Minister, and read Annual Report of the Institution, detailing various achievements and activities during past years. He awarded the graduating students with their degrees.
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