Dindigul: “Promoting Indian technologies and the innovations of young people is the foundation of modern swadeshi,” said Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The 39th convocation of Gandhigram Rural Institute, located in Gandhigram near Dindigul, was held today in the university’s auditorium. Chancellor Annamalai presided over the convocation. Vice Chancellor Panjanatham welcomed the gathering. Governor Arlekar and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan attended as special guests and conferred degrees on the students.
Honorary doctorates were conferred on scientist Nambi Narayanan, Kundrakudi Adigalar, and Professor S. M. Sundaram. Degrees were then awarded to 1,300 male and female students.
Speaking at the event, Governor Arlekar said: “Gandhi’s principles must be passed on to the younger generation. Gandhi’s principle was that we should buy indigenous products.
Gandhigram University, which is a deemed university, should become a full-fledged university. Village economy is like the backbone of the nation,” he said.
Speaking to the students receiving degrees, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said: “I congratulate the graduating students and wish that they attain all wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
We take pride in the fact that Gandhigram University has some of the world’s finest researchers. ‘Truth alone triumphs’ is Gandhi’s saying.

Gandhiji drove away the British rulers not with swords or cannons, but only with the walking stick he carried.
This proclaims that where truth exists, victory is permanent. This institution was started to fulfill Gandhi’s philosophy of village development. Today, this university is flourishing. If we think good and do good, then its success is seen today in the fact that it has produced so many graduates; Gandhigram University stands as a great institution.
The policy of Gandhiji is the development of villages. Our Prime Minister of India also says the same thing. Even the remotest village in this country should become a developed village. Gandhi has said that where truth exists, success will come on its own. That is becoming a reality in practice today.
India’s strength is the strength of its villages. By 2047, we must build a developed India. The development of villages is one of the foundations of national development. I am not saying that every village should become a city. Rather, our vision is that every village should have all the facilities available in urban areas.
Only when villages reach a stage where they can meet their own needs will that become true growth and progress.
Over the past 12 years under Prime Minister Modi’s rule, various changes have been taking place in rural development. Electricity, drinking water facilities, and roads are being provided to every household. The Prime Minister has created an exalted nation free from starvation deaths. 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty.
Through the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission,’ drinking water connections have been provided to millions of rural households, bringing about a major revolution.
In today’s era, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies are rapidly transforming the world and creating new job opportunities. We must quickly learn modern technologies.
Gandhiji’s Swadeshi policy is relevant even in today’s times. Promoting domestic production, local industries, Indian technologies, and the innovations of young people is the foundation of modern Swadeshi.
Receiving a degree is not the end of your education. It is the beginning of contributing to society and the nation.
The younger generation must stay completely away from drug addiction, which is currently one of the greatest threats.
Awareness must be created not only among yourselves but also in the society you belong to, so that it becomes a drug-free society. While embracing new discoveries and modern skills and moving forward, we must never lose our culture and human values,” he said.
