President of India Calls on Youth of India to Proceed on a Long March to Lead India Onto the High Table of…

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee called upon youth to proceed on a long march to lead India onto the high table of the international community.

Addressing the first batch of17 NIT scholars from across the country participating in an ‘In-Residence’ programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (April 15, 2015), the President said he was impressed by their willingness to take on challenges with courage and find solutions. He said if the youth of our country maintain this spirit,India will be able to overcome all the challenges that confront it.

The President said the people of India have waited for long and the youth, are impatient. There is need to make haste and move forward towards our goals with confidence. He called upon the NIT scholars to make the best use of the skills imparted to them by their institutions and plunge into the task of reshaping the nation. The President described the youth of today as the new, IT savvygeneration and asked them to do their utmost for the development and progress of India. He described youth as the light of our nation and called upon them to fulfill their dreams by marching ahead with confidence and determination.

Secretary to the President Smt. Omita Paul described the In-Residence programme as a happy experience which gives confidence that the next generation is ready to take on the challenges of the future and is thinking in the right direction.

All the scholars addressed the President and spoke of their dreams for India. Many said they looked forward to seeing India as a developed nation, leading the nations of the world in research and technology. The scholars described their stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan as the greatest experience in their lives and something they will never forget. They spoke about the need to ensure that India is safe for all, especially women. It is an united country where education and technology is available and accessible to all. They spoke about building an India free from poverty, inequality and exploitation. Some of the scholars volunteered to adopt villages near their institutions and to work for the betterment of the people. They also emphasized the importance of givingback to society and makingIndia cleaner and greener. Some highlighted the need for world class infrastructure, sustainable development, utilization of the demographic dividend and protection of environment. Scholarsfrom the North-Eastern part of India highlighted the need to integrate North-East with ASEAN countries.

The NIT scholars said their stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan had filled them with a sense of patriotism, courage and the will to work hard. Meeting the President and interacting with him inspired them to dedicate themselves to the progress of the nation. They promised to contribute their best to the building of a newer and better India.

The NIT scholars stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan from April 11 to April l7, 2015 as part of the In-Residence programme. Their activities included interaction with Ministry of HRD officials, visits to local industries, IIT Delhi and NIT Delhi as well as an interactive workshop at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The In-Residence programme for NITs was announced by the President of India at the annual Conference of Directors of NITs held in October 2014. Similar programmes already exist for writers, artists and grass root innovators. The same will be extended to Inspired teachers from Central Universities soon.

This release issued at 1740hrs.