Daijiworld Media Network - Amritsar
Amritsar, Jan 15: Emphasizing the importance of scientific temper, women’s empowerment, and social responsibility, President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday highlighted the urgent need to address drug abuse in Punjab while urging students to contribute positively to nation-building.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, the President called upon educational institutions to play a proactive role in guiding youth away from drug addiction and fostering moral, social, and economic well-being.
“In recent years, drug abuse has become a serious challenge in Punjab, affecting young people the most. It impacts health as well as the social, economic, and moral fabric of society. A lasting solution is essential for a healthy society,” she said.
President Murmu stressed that the next two decades are crucial for shaping a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and that the future depends on young people who exhibit scientific thinking, act responsibly, and serve selflessly. She encouraged higher education institutions to instill these values in students and urged graduates to ensure that whatever profession they choose, their work contributes to the nation and reinforces human values.
Highlighting gender equality, the President noted, “Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that women should be given equal rights in society.” She lauded Guru Nanak Dev University for promoting women’s empowerment, citing the significant presence of female students among those receiving degrees and medals at the convocation.
“Society and the nation benefit when women are given opportunities to advance confidently. Everyone should strive to ensure this,” she said.
President Murmu also reminded students that education is not merely a path to livelihood but a means to serve society and the nation. She urged them to recognize the debt owed to society for their education and suggested that uplifting those left behind in the development journey is one way to repay it.
The convocation speech underscored the President’s vision of a responsible, empowered, and socially conscious youth driving India’s progress in the coming decades.