ABVV Convocation: Governor and CM Bestow Degrees on 35,291 Students; Justice Mishra Receives Honorary PhD
Raipur
During the fifth Convocation of the state-run Atal Bihari Vajpayee Vishwavidyalaya (ABVV) in Bilaspur on Saturday, Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai awarded 92 gold medals across 64 subjects, 48 PhD degrees, and conferred degrees to a total of 35,291 students. Supreme Court Judge Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, who served as the chief guest, was honored with an honorary PhD in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the Indian judicial system.
In his address to the students, Governor Deka emphasized the vital role of universities as guardians of knowledge and culture, stating, “Universities are more than just institutions; they are the custodians of our history and culture, where knowledge is preserved and literature is analyzed. Through your studies, you are engaging with various fields of thought, enriching your understanding of humanity.”
The Governor further highlighted the importance of the National Education Policy 2020, describing it as a forward-thinking initiative by the Government of India aimed at equipping the youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. He noted that for Chhattisgarh, this policy introduces a wave of progressive reforms that will significantly impact the state’s educational institutions. He added, “The university curriculum should not only be dynamic and responsive to emerging trends and technologies but also incorporate the rich heritage of Indian tradition. Together, we can build an education system that not only meets the needs of our students but also contributes to the overall development of our state and nation.”
Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai spoke about the national and state-level goals, stating, “As the country works towards achieving the vision of a Developed India by 2047, we are also striving towards a Developed Chhattisgarh Vision 2047. I am confident that the talented youth graduating from this institution today will make significant contributions to this vision, excelling in their chosen fields and bringing pride to themselves and their university.” He praised the university’s innovations and noted the Rs 20 crore grant it received under the PM Usha scheme, which he described as commendable, further enhancing the university’s infrastructure and elevating the standard of higher education. The Chief Minister urged the incorporation of India’s rich knowledge traditions into the curriculum, drawing inspiration from renowned ancient universities like Takshashila and Nalanda.
Sai also emphasized that universities should not function as isolated islands of higher education but should remain connected to society, contributing to its development through continuous research. He stressed the importance of instilling values in the younger generation alongside modern education, particularly in Chhattisgarh, which is known for its unique culture.
Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra commended the university’s rapid development and recognition as an academic and administrative center by the Association of Indian Universities, reflecting the high quality of training provided. He highlighted that the National Education Policy 2020 opens new avenues for growth and advancement not only in higher education but also in the legal field.
The event also featured speeches by Union Minister of State for Urban Development Tokhan Sahu and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao. The Governor, Chief Minister, and other dignitaries released the university’s quarterly magazine ‘Kanhār’ and the monthly magazine ‘Atal Drishti.’ The convocation began with a warm welcome from Vice-Chancellor Professor Arun Diwakar Nath Vajpayee to all the esteemed guests.
