Wings Strengthened by Education, Soar High into the Sky

Udaipur, Hon’ble Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Hari Babu Kambhampati, addressing the 18th Convocation Ceremony of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT) at Vivekananda Auditorium, Udaipur, emphasized the importance of education and cultural heritage. Quoting Saint Tukdoji Maharaj, he said, “Children, your wings have strengthened with education; now, soar high into the sky as the entire horizon is yours.” The Governor, as the Chancellor of the University, presided over the event held on Saturday.

Highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage, the Governor stated, “Our country has faced numerous attempts to erase its culture through invasions. However, valiant leaders like Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj safeguarded it. The Gurukul tradition has been a unique hallmark of our nation. Even ancient texts like the Rigveda and Yajurveda mention concepts such as gravity, showcasing the scientific wisdom of our great sages centuries ago.”

Degrees Alone Are Insufficient; Intellectual Growth is Essential

The Hon’ble Governor urged educators to focus on creating better students. “Mere possession of a degree holds little value without intellectual development. Teachers must teach with dedication and cultivate good citizens. Knowledge and actions should never cease. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar rightly said that science and technology are essential for effective planning. To destroy a nation, one simply needs to disrupt its education system,” he remarked.

India: A Land of Agriculture and Wisdom

Talking about agriculture, the Governor acknowledged its critical role in sustaining life. “Without food, survival is impossible. Until 1980, India relied heavily on grain imports, but today, we are self-sufficient in food production, thanks to our hardworking farmers. India is truly a land of agriculture and sages,” he said.

Focus on Water Conservation

The Governor highlighted the importance of water conservation, stating, “We are all aware of the water crisis. Water from fields should remain within the land to replenish groundwater levels. Saving water is akin to creating it. I practice using only one bucket of water for bathing. We also need to adopt natural farming techniques and equip farmers with basic technical knowledge before cultivation.” Addressing the medalists and graduates, he encouraged them to guide future generations and share their knowledge widely. Recalling former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words, he added, “Educated individuals should consider farming as a profession.”

42 Gold Medals and 1181 Degrees Awarded

Earlier, the Hon’ble Governor was welcomed with a Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the auditorium. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka formally welcomed the Governor, who was escorted as per protocol by the university’s teaching staff to the venue. During the ceremony, 42 students were awarded gold medals, and degrees were conferred upon 1,181 students from various faculties.

Dr. Amarnath Mukhopadhyay, former Vice-Chancellor of Assam Agricultural University, also addressed the gathering. MPUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ajit Kumar Karnataka highlighted the university’s achievements in his welcome speech. The event witnessed the participation of Vice-Chancellors from various universities, Udaipur Member of Parliament Dr. Mannalal Rawat, Begun MLA Suresh Dhakad, MPUAT Board Members, Academic Council Members, teaching and non-teaching staff, students, and their families.