TFP Bureau, Ahmedabad, October 11 — President of India Droupadi Murmu graced the 71st convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad on Saturday, describing the institution as a living monument to the ideals of India’s freedom struggle and a cradle of nation-building rooted in Gandhian philosophy.
Addressing students and faculty, the President said that Gujarat Vidyapith, founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, embodies the spirit of self-reliance, discipline, and service to the nation. She referred to the university as “the sacred land of the ideals of our freedom struggle,” and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, calling him the guiding light of India’s moral and national consciousness.
President Murmu reminded students that Mahatma Gandhi had envisioned the youth of the nation as active participants in building a self-reliant India. She urged the graduating students to contribute meaningfully to national development and take a collective pledge to make India a developed nation. “Bapu expected the students of Gujarat Vidyapith to be torchbearers of change,” she said. “You must lead every initiative that strengthens our nation’s self-reliance and unity.”
Highlighting Gujarat’s long-standing tradition of entrepreneurship and self-employment, the President said this culture should be emulated across India. She expressed confidence that the graduates of Gujarat Vidyapith would carry forward this spirit of self-reliance and become catalysts in the country’s Swadeshi campaign. “Making India self-reliant is not just an economic goal—it is our national priority,” she added.
Underscoring the importance of education as a tool for social transformation, President Murmu said that true education lies in character-building, moral strength, and service to society. She advised teachers and students alike to embody these principles in their professional and personal lives. “Education achieves its highest purpose when it is applied to local realities and contributes to the well-being of communities,” she remarked.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu visited Dwarka, where she performed Darshan and Aarti at the historic Dwarkadhish Temple, offering prayers for peace and prosperity of the nation.
The convocation ceremony concluded with blessings from dignitaries and the conferring of degrees to graduating students, marking another milestone in Gujarat Vidyapith’s century-long contribution to India’s educational and cultural heritage.
