Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi while speaking at the convocation of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) today called upon the Indian youths to show their mettle for delivering the world from the energy crises.
PDPU, which has been in the field of creating skilled manpower and research in energy sector with the inspiration of Mr. Modi, organized its third convocation today at its campus near Gandhinagar. As many as 671 youths were handed over degrees and medals in PhD, post graduate and graduate categories by the Chief Minister, Chairman of Reliance group Mukesh Ambani and Group Executive President of British Petroleum Mr. Bob Dudli.
Wishing bright future to the degree-holders Mr. Modi exuded faith these vigourous youths would instill the country with fresh energy.
“If we can employ India’s youth for the good of humanity, the loss we made in past 60 years could be covered in next 10 years”, Mr. Modi said. He stressed on taking the youth population as India’s ‘demographic dividend’ in order to take the country to new heights even in the midst of many difficulties.
Speaking of Mahatma Gandhi, Rammanohar Lohiya and Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay the Chief Minister said their thoughts and inspiration for nation building is still relevant.
He said that India had its influence over the world for 1800 years in the times of Nalanda, Takshshila and Valabhi Universities. But India’s prowesses get paralyzed during 800 years of its slavery. “Now, PDPU should resolve to show new direction to the world not merely as a petroleum university but as an energy university”, he suggested.
He spoke about the State’s innovative initiatives like putting rooftop solar penal over Narmada canal that would harness the solar power and stop water from evaporating. He asked PDPU to get into research in this direction and take on the challenge of making Gandhinagar a solar city.
He also suggested that PDPU should come up with a new model of energy savings for auto sector, as Gujarat is pointing towards top position in auto sector.
He said that investments worth Rs. 1.25 lakh crore in the power projects of 20,000 MW have been of no use due to UPA’s lack of planning for energy sector and hence the non-availability of fuel for power generation. “Where you have fuel in place, you don’t have transmission network. And where you have everything in place, you have UPA’s politics as a hurdle”, he said, suggesting that this unfortunate situation has way out in empowerment of youths. He said that youths should imbibe the mantra of “India first” in order to bring about real change in the country.
Congratulating the degree-holders PDPU president and chairman & managing director of Reliance Industries Mr. Mukesh Ambani said that every successful PDPU student is not merely a university pass-out but India’s ambassador on international level. And therefore the hard-work of students has been connected with development of the nation.
“Within only 6-7 years of the functioning this university has earned fame on global level. The inspiration from Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and the university management are in the basis of this fame”, he added.
He described the university as “Global Centre of Excellence”. He said that getting a degree is not the end of the study, but it is the fresh beginning of more serious study and further research in one’s career. “You also need inner energy in order to succeed in the energy sector on external front”, said Mr. Ambani.
Mr. Bob Dudli, group chief executive of British Petroleum Co. and the chief guest of the convocation ceremony said that today the whole world is facing energy crisis. While this crisis is going to become more terrible, the line of study chosen by the PDPU students to be experts in the field of energy is well suited to the demand of the time. “Today’s need is not only the energy security, but we also have to look for the green and clean energy for the benefit of the environment”, he added.
Acknowledging the development in Gujarat’s energy sector Mr. Bob Dudli said that in order to succeed there are three elements which are most useful: technology, co-operation in policy making and the partnership. Gujarat has put in place all these three elements and its development is witnessed by the whole world.
On this occasion the former chairman of Shell Group Mr. Vikramsingh Mehta said that the energy security is the demand of this time and the students from PDPU will contribute in this sector.
In his welcome speech Mr. D.J. Pandian, principal secretary to state energy department said that PDPU achieved a place in the top three universities of Gujarat and within short period it will secure a place in top 100 universities of the world. The university also inculcates the human values along with the technological knowledge in its students, he said.
The 671 students who received degrees include one Ph.D. student, 172 post-graduate and 476 graduate and other students. Among these 22 students received gold medal.
Energy Minister Mr. Saurabh Patel, high officials, leaders and parents of pass-out students were present on the occasion.
