Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla exhorted the youths to work towards developing new technologies to ensure India’s progress. He was addressing the graduating students at the 15th Annual Convocation of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT).
The speaker described technology as a major driving force behind change. “Development of new technologies has become necessary for the progress and Indian youth with their education, skill and motivation can bring prosperity to the country,” he said.
“Technology has become the main driver of change in the modern world, Indian IT professionals are in key positions and making major contributions to the industry all over the world,” he added.
Talking about the country’s demographic dividend, he said: “our young population is capable of taking the country to new heights.” Birla hoped that the students will gain more knowledge and serve the country for its overall development. “As technology is essential for accelerating progress in all spheres, the youngsters, who are capable of acquiring and developing new skills, should focus on this area which will bring a positive transformation in the country,” he said.
A total of 6,578 students were awarded Bachelors, Masters and PhD Degrees at the convocation. Swagat Khatei (M. Tech), Baidehi Ghosh (B Tech -Csc) and Trisha Chatterjee (MBBS), were winners of “Founder’s Gold Medal” for their outstanding all round and academic performance. Similarly, 20 students were awarded “Chancellor’s Gold Medal” and 23 students got “Vice Chancellor’s Silver Medal”.
Odisha Assembly Speaker Surya Narayan Patro asked the students to use their knowledge in making the lives of future generation better. “Global warming and environmental degradation are posing a threat to the existence of humankind. I hope you will use your education to develop new technologies to tackle these challenges,” he said.
KIIT Chancellor Prof Ved Prakash expressed his wishes to the students and said that “KIIT has been chosen as an institution of eminence from amongst a pool of over 900 Degree-awarding institutions of higher learning in the country”. Bhubaneswar MP in Lok Sabha Aparajita Sarangi MP and others were present at the convocation function.