Agartala, Nov. 13: Actor Nana Patekar called upon the graduating batch of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala, to stick to the basic principles of life and to dedicate themselves to the cause of nation building.
"You have completed your formal education by obtaining this degree but this is just the beginning. You will now have to choose a suitable career. I urge you to dedicate yourself to the basic principles, ideals and cause of the nation. Please never compromise where national interest is concerned," said Patekar, who was a special invitee to the ninth convocation of NIT Agartala, yesterday.
"Please do not do anything in your day-to-day life that makes you ashamed when you stand in front of the mirror at home," the actor said.
He said work was worship and every individual - whether a student or a professional - must lead a life of restraint and austerity, which will leave enough funds and energy to be dedicated to the poor and the country at large.
Patekar said students in higher educational institutions study at the expense of public money unlike in foreign institutions, so it is the duty of students to give something back to the society and the country. "Please never give up hope but dedicate yourself with renewed energy. Try to innovate something, think originally and do creative things which will help the nation," Patekar said, to loud applause from students and teachers present in the auditorium.
Tripura governor Tathagata Roy, Manipal University Jaipur president Sandip Sancheti, the chairman of the NIT's board of governors Dipak B. Pathak and NIT director Gopal Murugeya were present at the event
Nana Patekar also called on chief minister Manik Sarkar and his wife Panchali Bhattacharjee at the former's official residence here this morning, where he was treated to breakfast.
Sources said Patekar spoke to the chief minister on the Tripura government's plans for the development of the state.
Sarkar said how his government had been implementing various programmes for the welfare of the people and how Tripura had carved a niche for itself in the country for achievements in the sphere of development. Patekar left for Mumbai this evening.
