Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday urged the younger generation to pledge to fight against gender discrimination.
“Our youth should be at the forefront of fighting all social evils like casteism, communalism, corruption, and violence,” Naidu said while addressing the students at the 50th convocation ceremony of Utkal University, the premier educational institute of the state.
Naidu suggested that the university should take up research on issues faced by tribals and actively contribute to policy formation for their development and well-being. He said disaster management should be made an integral part of education to prepare us better for calamities.
Terming the youth as the key for change, Naidu urged the students to nurture their passion, perseverance and tenacity and be always open to learning for a successful and fulfilling life ahead.
At the event, five Doctor Honoris Causa were conferred upon eminent Odias such as RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, Girish Chandra Murmu, comptroller and auditor general of India and chairman of the UN panel of external auditors, Justice Sanju Panda of Orissa High Court, Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and Bijaya Sahoo, adviser to Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan.
Utkal University Chancellor Prof. Ganeshi Lal conferred the degrees upon the PhD awardees and administered the oath to them. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sabita Acharya presented the university report.
A total of 40 PhD degrees and 90 gold medals/endowment prizes were awarded at the ceremony.