Raipur, December 4, 2025: Former President Ram Nath Kovind said today that graduating from university is not the culmination of education, but rather continuous learning, skill enhancement and self-development are essential for success in the twenty-first century.
The sixth convocation ceremony of Atal Behari Vajpayee University was held today in a dignified atmosphere with former President Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest.
The programme was presided over by Governor Ramen Deka. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, and Higher Education Minister Tankram Verma were present as special guests. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Acharya Dr. Diwakar Nath Vajpayee, was also present at the event.
A total of 64 research scholars were awarded research degrees, 92 gold medals, and 36,950 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees were conferred at the ceremony.
In his address at the university’s convocation ceremony, Chief Guest former President Kovind extended his best wishes to the graduating students for their bright future and urged them to actively contribute to nation-building.
Appreciating the energy and confidence of the young generation, he said that India is today a leader among the world’s fastest-growing economies, and the current youth are historical witnesses and participants in this growth.
He said that graduating from university is not the culmination of education, but rather continuous learning, skill enhancement, and self-development are essential for success in the twenty-first century.
The former President said that in the country’s universities, girls are often excelling over boys in the field of education, and the number of girls among the gold medal winners of this university is also remarkable.
Congratulating the students, especially the medal winners, he said that their achievement is not only the result of their hard work, but also the sacrifice of their parents, the support of their families, and the invaluable guidance of their teachers. This is a golden memorable moment for every student, which they will remember for a lifetime.
He said, “Never think that you have fallen behind. If you don’t give up trying, you can always be in first place.” He urged the students to work hard to realize their dreams, stay connected to Indian culture, values, and roots, and embrace Indian heritage such as yoga and science.
Governor Ramesh Deka said that life presents many challenges, and sometimes we stumble, but the most important thing is to pick ourselves up and stand tall again each time.
He told the students not to be afraid of setbacks in life and to always have the courage to rise again.
Drawing attention to the importance of mental health, the Governor said that stress has become a major challenge today. Therefore, it is essential to make yoga, meditation, and regular physical activity an integral part of life. He also urged the students to choose a profession in life that is less stressful, transparent, and contributes to positive change for themselves, society, and the nation.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that success is determined not only by degrees but also by a continuous desire to learn. The world is changing rapidly, and the youth who remain connected to their cultural roots while embracing technology, innovation, and hard work will shape the India of tomorrow.
Opportunities in life are not always found externally; sometimes we have to create them ourselves. Discipline, perseverance, and a positive outlook are the forces that transform every ordinary moment into an extraordinary achievement he said.
Sai said that he can confidently say that this generation will take Chhattisgarh and the entire country to new heights.
The Chief Minister appreciated the university’s implementation of systems such as multidisciplinary studies, skill-based learning, a four-year undergraduate programmme, the Academic Bank of Credits, and a modern curriculum in line with the National Education Policy 2020, enabling students to benefit from global opportunities.
The Chief Minister said that universities should encourage quality research in areas such as agricultural science, environmental protection, social structure, language and literature, and technological innovation, in accordance with the needs of the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that this state, formed under the guidance of Atal Behari Vajpayee, has made remarkable progress in various fields, including education. He appreciated the university’s efforts in providing quality education.
Higher Education Minister Tank Ram Verma said that the convocation ceremony is a tribute to the hard work, struggles, and dedication of the students. He informed that the university is ensuring the effective utilization of the Academic Bank of Credits and that development projects worth ₹20 crore have been approved, which will further strengthen the academic infrastructure.
The guests also released the university’s quarterly magazine, Kanhar.
The welcome address was delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Dr. Arun Diwakar Nath Vajpayee.
