Prime Minister addresses 42nd convocation ceremony of Anna University; Says, World is looking at India’s youth with hope

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the whole world is looking at India’s youth with hope as the growth engines of the country and India is considered the world’s growth engine. Speaking at the 42nd Convocation Ceremony of Anna University at Chennai in Tamil Nadu today, Mr. Modi recalled the words of Swami Vivekananda about the youth of the country. Mr. Modi also recalled former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s association with Anna University.

The Prime Minister noted that the COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented event. It was a once-in-a-century crisis that nobody had any user manual for. He said, adversities reveal what we are made of. He emphasized that during the pandemic, India faced the unknown confidently, thanks to its scientists, healthcare professionals and common people. As a result, he said, every sector in India is bustling with a new life.

Mr. Modi said, India received a record FDI of over 83 billion dollars last year. The country’s start-ups also received record funding post-pandemic. He asserted that India’s position in the international trade dynamics is at its best ever. He said, India is becoming a vital link in the global supply chain.

The Prime Minister said, in the era of tech-led disruptions, there are three important factors in India’s favour. These are, taste for technology, trust in risk-takers and temperament for reform.

Mr. Modi said, earlier, that there was a notion that a strong government means, it should control everything and everyone. But, they have changed this concept. He said, a strong government does not need to control everything or everyone. It controls the system’s impulse to interfere. A strong government is not restrictive but is responsive. Mr. Modi said, a strong government does not move into every domain. He stressed that it limits itself and makes space for people’s talents. He further emphasised that a strong government’s strength lies in its humility to accept that it can not know or do everything. This is why reforms are making greater space for people and their talent in every space. He gave examples of freedom and flexibility provided to youth by the National Education Policy and the scrapping of 25,000 compliances for Ease of Business. Removal of angel tax, removal of retrospective tax, and reduction of corporate tax – are encouraging investments and industry. The reforms in drones, space and geospatial sectors are opening up new avenues.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the students on getting their degrees. He said, today is not only a day of achievements but also a day of aspiration for them.

During the programme, Mr. Modi awarded gold medals and certificates to 69 gold medalists. Governor R. N. Ravi, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Union Minister L. Murugan were among those present on the occasion.

Anna University was established on 4th September 1978. It is named after C. N. Annadurai, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. It has 13 Constituent Colleges, 494 Affiliated Colleges spread over Tamil Nadu and three Regional Campuses – Tirunelveli, Madurai and Coimbatore.