Education Must Serve Society and Nation, Says President Murmu at GNDU Convocation

President of India Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said that education is not merely a means of livelihood but also a powerful tool for serving society and strengthening the nation. She was addressing the convocation ceremony of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar, Punjab.

Congratulating the graduating students, the President said that as they step into diverse professional paths—ranging from government service and private employment to research, entrepreneurship and teaching—they must cultivate certain core values that are essential across all fields. These include a lifelong desire to learn, adherence to moral values and integrity, courage to embrace change, the ability to learn from failure, teamwork, discipline, and the commitment to use knowledge for the greater good of society and the nation.

She reminded students that society plays a vital role in their education and urged them to repay this debt by working for the upliftment of those left behind in the development process. “Such efforts not only benefit society but also make individuals responsible citizens,” she said.

Highlighting India’s progress over the past decade, President Murmu noted the rapid growth in technology and entrepreneurship, with expanding opportunities from agriculture and artificial intelligence to defence and space. She said higher education institutions can further accelerate this progress by promoting research, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, and encouraging socially relevant innovation.

The President also expressed concern over the growing problem of drug abuse in Punjab, particularly among youth, calling it a serious threat to the social, economic and moral fabric of society. She underlined the crucial role of educational institutions like GNDU in guiding young people in the right direction and contributing to lasting solutions.

Referring to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, President Murmu said the next two decades would be critical for India’s future. She urged higher education institutions to nurture scientific temper, responsibility and selfless service among students, and appealed to youth to ensure that their professional contributions strengthen the nation and uphold human values.

The President noted that Guru Nanak Dev University was established during the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and is guided by his teachings and values. She said his ideals, which emphasise equality, compassion and welfare of humanity, remain relevant in addressing many of society’s challenges today.

She also highlighted Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings on gender equality and appreciated GNDU’s efforts towards women’s empowerment. The President expressed satisfaction over the significant presence of female students among degree and medal recipients at the convocation, stating that empowering women with confidence and equal opportunities is vital for the progress of society and the nation.