Vice President to KU graduates

Srinagar, Feb 26: Vice President Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan said on Thursday that graduates, not glass towers, define a nation.

Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir (KU), which began with the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’, the Vice President said, “A university’s true stature is reflected not in its infrastructure or global collaborations, but in the character and contributions of its graduates.”

He urged students to embrace change, pursue innovation, and remain rooted in national values.

The Vice President described himself as ìthe happiest personî on knowing about  three things – Minister for Education of J&K being a woman, the Vice-Chancellor of KU being a woman, and majority of gold medals went to female graduates.

ìWhat a wonderful day today is,î he said.

He congratulated the graduating batch of 2026 and expressed satisfaction over his first official visit to the J&K as the Vice President of India.

He highlighted KU’s 78-year journey and lauded its expansion from the main campus in Srinagar to satellite campuses in Anantnag, Baramulla, and Kupwara, ensuring access to quality education across the region.

The Vice President said KU had secured NAAC A++ accreditation and ranks 34th in the university category nationally, while standing eighth among government universities.

ìThese recognitions reflect the hard work put in by the faculty, administration and students,î he said.

The Vice President also underlined the institutionís growing academic footprint, pointing out that since 2019, more than 7700 research publications had appeared in reputed global databases with an H-Index of 115.

He referred to the initiatives such as the National Himalayan Ice Core Laboratory collaboration as evidence of the KUís progressive trajectory.

The Vice President termed the convocation a ìmoment where years of great efforts transform into a new beginning,î and reminded students that the day belonged not only to them but also to their parents.

ìNever forget your parents who put all their scarce resources on your welfare and education. You should also acknowledge the role of teachers, friends and non-teaching staff in shaping your journey,” he said.

The Vice President said that the pace of transformation in the past five years had outstripped that of the previous 25 years.

ìChange is the only constant factor,î he said and urged the graduating students to continuously equip themselves to adapt to evolving realities.

Stressing Indiaís growing stature in technology and innovation, the Vice President said the country was no longer merely an adopter but an emerging innovator.

Referring to the recently concluded AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, he said global industry leaders had expressed enthusiasm about Indiaís technological direction.

The Vice President urged the students to ensure that technological advancement is aligned with purpose and societal good.

ìThe true purpose of technology is not only progress alone, but progress with purpose,î he said.

The Vice President credited flagship initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and Make in India launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strengthening the countryís entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He urged the graduates to focus on ìSwadeshi innovationsî rooted in Indian knowledge, resources, and needs, and to shed any remnants of a colonial mindset.

ìUntil now you answered questions set by your professors. From today onwards, life will set you the questions and they will not always be from the syllabus,î the Vice President said.

He asked the students to adopt patience in adversity, courage in failure, and firmness in character.

The Vice President said that success was defined not by how high one rises, but by how firmly one stands when tested by circumstances.

ìYour degree is not an end goal, but the beginning of new responsibilities,î he said.

The Vice President extended his best wishes to the graduating batch and expressed hope that their knowledge, hard work, and compassion would bring glory to J&K, and contribute meaningfully to Indiaís rise as a global leader.