President Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged the country's brightest minds to harness technology not merely for personal gain but for the collective progress of the nation, asserting that India was firmly on the path to becoming a technological superpower.
Addressing the 45th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, Murmu said, “Bright young minds should shape India’s future and play a leading role in solving social and national issues. Use technology for building a just India, a green India, where development does not come at the cost of the environment and nature.”
The convocation was a key part of the institute’s centenary celebrations. A special postal stamp and commemorative cover marking 100 years of IIT-ISM were released by the President during the event.
Calling for compassion-driven innovation, Murmu remarked, “Whatever you do in future, it should reflect your empathy, excellence and ethics along with intelligence. Innovation driven by compassion, not just innovation, makes the world better.”
Murmu stressed the growing relevance of India’s technical institutions in tackling global challenges such as climate change, digital disruption, and social inequality. “India is progressing towards becoming a technological superpower,” she said, adding that increasing access to technical education and digital skills was steering the country towards global leadership.
She further noted, “Making India's education system more practical, innovation-focused and industry-friendly will give the right direction to the talent of the country's youth and allow them to move forward at the global level.”
Highlighting the strategic role of IIT-ISM in this journey, she said, “In such a situation, the guidance of an institute like IIT-ISM is even more important.” She called upon the institution to lead in creating sustainable solutions and fostering a patent culture supported by robust R&D and start-up ecosystems.
Also read: Ranchi declares no-fly zone ahead of President Murmu visit
“There is a need to encourage patent culture along with promoting R&D and startups to compete at the global level. To develop holistic thinking among students and find creative solutions to complex problems, the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach in education is also very important,” she emphasised.
She commended the institute’s efforts in uplifting marginalised communities. “I appreciate IIT-ISM efforts to empower tribal youth, deprived women through initiatives like the Centre of Excellence for Tribal Development,” she noted.
Reflecting on the legacy of IIT Dhanbad, Murmu said the institution had evolved from its origins as the Indian School of Mines and Applied Geology, established in 1926, into a premier centre for advanced education and research. “It was established to produce trained experts in the field of mining and geology, and over the years, it has broadened its academic horizons and has now become a leading centre of higher education and research in diverse fields,” she said.
“I am happy to note that IIT Dhanbad has developed an ecosystem where the objectives of education and innovation are aligned with the needs of the people and aspirations of the citizens,” she added.
Murmu conferred the President’s Gold Medal upon Priyanshu Sharma, the top-ranking BTech graduate in computer science and engineering. In total, 1,880 students received degrees across various disciplines, 1,055 at undergraduate and 711 at postgraduate levels, and 93 medals, including 37 gold, were awarded.
“The convocation holds special significance as it forms a central part of the institute's centenary celebrations, symbolising 100 years of unwavering dedication to nation-building through science, technology, and education,” an official said.
Established under the guidance of its first principal, David Penman, and modelled on London’s Royal School of Mines, the institute was inaugurated by Lord Irwin in 1926. Murmu is the second President of India to attend a convocation at IIT-ISM; the first was Pranab Mukherjee in 2014.
Earlier, Murmu attended the inaugural convocation of AIIMS Deoghar, where the first MBBS batch graduated. She arrived in Ranchi on Thursday evening and stayed at the Raj Bhavan.
Follow us
