Prayagraj holy land of knowledge, justice, faith and freedom fighters: Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay
Convocation not end of education, but entry into new life: Higher Education Minister
Matter of pride to get degree from open univ, India to become developed in 2047 on strength of its youth: MoS Higher Education Rajni Tiwari
Prayagraj: The 21st convocation of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj, was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Anandiben Patel, Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Chancellor of State Universities. Addressing the ceremony, Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyaya said that the most meaningful saying about Prayagraj is, “Prayage pravishtamatre papam nashyati,” meaning that all sins are destroyed upon entering Prayag. It is believed that after creating the universe, Lord Brahma chose this sacred land for yagna and rituals after such a monumental task, and therefore, visiting here liberates all sins. This is a land of spirituality, a land of religious consciousness, a city of justice, knowledge, and faith, a land of martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom. Great literary figures gave new direction to literature; this is a land of such literary figures. The city where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati flow, where they confluence, is a great pilgrimage site. That is why Prayag is called “Prayagraj” and is called “Prayagraj.”
Minister Upadhyay said that this university is situated on such sacred land, named after Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon. He was a leader born in this land of Prayag who gave direction to the country. There are three types of leaders: one who thinks from election to election, thinks about the five years ahead, and plans how to win the next election. The second is one who thinks about the coming decades, and the third is the national leader who thinks about future generations, planning for centuries. Such a national leader was Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon, who rose from a humble family to become the Bharat Ratna. You are receiving education from a university whose name itself inspires.
He said, “I congratulate the students who received their degrees today, and their parents. Children, remember that behind your achievements lies the sacrifice, hard work, and struggle of your parents. They must have suppressed their own desires and sacrificed their own lives to educate you. Your teachers stood shoulder to shoulder and provided guidance. That’s why our culture says, ‘Matrudevo Bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava, Acharyadevo Bhava.’ We can never repay their debt.”
He said that this convocation is not the end of education, but rather the beginning of a new life. This open university sends the message that there is no age limit for education. The purpose of education is not simply to obtain employment. Education is that which creates cultured citizens, demonstrates sensitivity to society, connects with social concerns, and awakens a sense of dedication to the nation. Only that education can contribute to the creation of a developed India, and only then will Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India be fulfilled.
Minister of State for Higher Education Rajni Tiwari said, “I am very pleased that all of you have received degrees from this university, the state’s only open university, where working professionals, those working in various fields, women who cannot go outside their homes, the disabled, and students who cannot pursue regular education due to difficult circumstances, receive degrees. You have received not only degrees but also medals.”
He said, “You are receiving your degrees at a time when the country is filled with immense possibilities. Today, we have a confluence of technology, knowledge, science, and spirituality. When the illustrious Prime Minister says that the country will be fully developed in 2047, he is doing so on the strength of youth like you. I am pleased that most of the gold medal recipients today are daughters. The double-engine government is continuously pursuing development while also safeguarding the country’s borders.”
Minister of State Tiwari said that the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, seated on the stage today, began her career as a teacher and continued to advance with a spirit of service. No one becomes extraordinary by accident; they overcome many challenges to achieve their goals. I have observed that there is no word like comfort in her vocabulary. She is an inspiration to us all. Under her guidance, not only our universities and colleges, but also Anganwadi centers are progressing.
