Rourkela, Jan. 16: Prominent personalities handed over degrees to students of the NIT Rourkela at the institute's 13th convocation here today.
Architect Karan Grover, who is known as the Green Architect for his environment-friendly and nature-inspired designs, interacted with the graduating students at the ceremony.
"Each individual has the power to change the world irrespective of position or class," said Grover.
Addressing the students, the architect said: "Success is almost exclusively the product of failure and the will and courage to overcome it. Competition is the fuel of innovation."
"I hate the term 'impossible', and especially when youngsters use the term, it infuriates me," said Grover.
Speaking about the competitive world, he said: "Competition is not confined to academics. It is present in every industry and do not be afraid to compete or challenge others or fear those who challenge you."
This year, of the total 14,533 students - 580 BTech, 451 MTech, 119 dual degree, 79 MSc, 21 MA, 17 MBA and 83 PhD students got their degrees. The institute's gold medal for best graduate student (BTech) went to mechanical engineering student Pradosh Pritam Dash, while that for the best MTech student went to Sobhan Kanti Dhara. NIT alumnus Akash Khurana, co-promoter of Nimbus Communications and also a leading Bollywood actor, was awarded for entrepreneurship and public life.
"It is always wonderful to be at one's alma mater. This institute has always had a great environment for education," said Khurana.
NIT Rourkela chairperson Vasanta Ramaswamy, in her short address, congratulated the students. She hailed the diversified programmes, 22 in all, being followed by the institute. The chairperson said: "You are the fortunate ones to have an access to the educational experience of this renowned institute with the key to the storehouse of vast alumni links enabling you to win the environment of intense competition."
NIT Rourkela director Sunil Sarangi read out the achievements and future planning of the institute.
"It was a wonderful experience to study at this prestigious institution. While I'm looking forward to a future in the field of technology, I will also miss my NIT days," said Pradosh Dash.
