ABVV Convocation 2025: Former President Kovind urges youth—“Never stop learning, that’s the real key to success”
Raipur, 4 December 2025
The sixth convocation ceremony of Atal Bihari Vajpayee University was held today in a dignified atmosphere, with former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest. The program was presided over by Governor Ramen Deka. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai attended as the guest of honour, while Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao and Higher Education Minister Tankaram Verma were present as special guests. University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Diwakar Nath Vajpayee was also present. In the ceremony, 64 researchers were awarded doctoral degrees, 92 students received gold medals, and 36,950 students were conferred undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind congratulated the graduating students and wished them a bright future, calling upon them to contribute actively to nation-building. Appreciating the spirit and confidence of the youth, he said that India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies today, and today’s youth are both witnesses to and participants in this historic transformation. He stated that graduation is not the completion of education; in the 21st century, continuous learning, skill enhancement and self-development are indispensable for success.
He said that girls in Indian universities are often outperforming boys academically, which is reflected in the gold medal tally of this university as well. Congratulating medal winners, he said their achievements are not just the result of their own hard work but also the sacrifice of parents, the support of families, and the invaluable guidance of teachers. He said, “Never think that you have been left behind. If you never stop trying, you can always come first.” He urged students to work hard to fulfil their dreams, stay connected to Indian culture and values, and embrace the heritage of yoga and science.
Governor Ramen Deka said that life presents many challenges and sometimes we fall, but the most important thing is to gather ourselves and rise again. He advised students not to fear failures and to always have the courage to stand back up. He emphasised that discipline is the strong foundation of success and that life is a beautiful journey that must be lived with purpose, positivity and meaning. Highlighting the importance of mental health, he said stress has become a major challenge today, and therefore yoga, meditation and regular physical activity must be integrated into daily life. He encouraged students to choose careers with low stress, transparency, and avenues for positive societal and national contribution.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that success is not determined merely by degrees but by the desire to keep learning. The world is changing rapidly, and young people who stay rooted in their culture while embracing technology, innovation and hard work will shape the India of tomorrow. Opportunities do not always come from outside; sometimes we must create them ourselves. Discipline, dedication and a positive mindset are the strengths that transform ordinary moments into extraordinary achievements. He expressed confidence that this generation will take Chhattisgarh and the entire nation to new heights.
He said the convocation is not just a formal ceremony but a celebration of the dreams, commitments and struggles of students. He appreciated the university for implementing the provisions of the National Education Policy 2020, including multidisciplinary learning, skill-based education, the four-year undergraduate program, Academic Bank of Credits and modern curricula, enabling students to access global opportunities.
He added that through digitalisation, the university has made services such as admissions, exam forms, transcripts and degree certificates available online, making processes simpler, transparent and faster for students. Under the PM-Usha scheme, financial support will help build new laboratories, smart classrooms, digital libraries and modern academic infrastructure, thereby strengthening quality and innovation in higher education.
He said universities should promote qualitative research aligned with state needs in fields such as agricultural sciences, environmental protection, social structure, language and literature, and technological innovation. The convocation, he said, offered students, parents and teachers a celebration of knowledge, discipline and inspiration, reflecting the university’s commitment to quality and innovation in higher education.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that under the guidance of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the state has achieved remarkable progress in education and various other sectors. He praised the university’s efforts to improve the quality of education. Higher Education Minister Tank Ram Verma said that the convocation is a celebration of the hard work and perseverance of students. He informed that the Academic Bank of Credits is being effectively implemented and development projects worth ₹20 crore have been approved to strengthen academic infrastructure. The guests also released the university’s quarterly magazine Kanhar. The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Arun Diwakar Nath Vajpayee delivered the welcome address.
MLAs Amar Agrawal, Dharamjeet Singh, Dharamlal Kaushik, Sushant Shukla, Atal Shrivastava, Dilip Lahariya, CREDA Chairman Bhupendra Savanni, Mayor Pooja Vidhani, Registrar Dr. Taraneesh Gautam, university professors and a large number of students were present.
