July 20, 2018
Don’t forget your motherland or your State: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s message at IIT Kharagpur convocation
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present today at the 64th convocation ceremony of IIT Kharagpur, along with Honourable President, Honourable Governor, Honourable Director of IIT, Deputy Director, her Cabinet colleagues, ministers, faculty members of the IIT, and other officials.
At the beginning of her speech, she expressed her gratitude to the Honourable President for requesting her presence in the ceremony. She said she was “greatly honoured that I am present here along with all of you.” She urged the graduating students to conquer the world, but not forget their motherland or their State. She also asked to them to always respect their parents and teachers.
Excerpts of the Chief Minister’s speech:
My warmest greetings to all the recipients of PhD, and to all the graduates and undergraduates. I think this is the beginning (for you) to conquer the world. I think it is not only about the awards and the degrees. We are proud of IIT Kharagpur; it is India’s number 1 IIT after independence. And I am proud to say it is a Centre of Excellence. Who can deny you? Today all of you touch our hearts; tomorrow you will be the winners of the world. I strongly believe so. Have the goal, have the courage. (Let us work for) a united India, which belongs to all castes, all creeds, all religions, all communities, all the people. IIT has the name and the fame.
You are also lucky to have got the opportunity. Your parents are also lucky, your teachers too. One of my family members also studied here. One day I asked her, what is so beautiful there, that everybody appreciates it? She said, our teachers are so good. That’s why, whatever we are today is because of our teachers, and our parents too. We have a great regard for that.
Thank you so much to all our students. All our love and affection is with you. And I will request all of you, please don’t forget your country or your State. Don’t forget your parents, and don’t forget your teachers. Also remember that, wherever you are, respect the soil of the motherland and give special respect to your motherland. Always remember that this is the land of Mahatma Gandhi ji, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and so many other eminent people.
I will conclude by quoting Rabindranath Tagore: ‘Where the mind is without fear, and the head is held high.’ Your head should always be held high, you should always be bold, be brave and always, wherever you are, please trust yourself, and have confidence. I believe that tomorrow the world will see how IITs groom talent and merit, and contribute to technology. It is one of the best institutions of the world. I feel so.
Thank you so much.
