Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said nation-building must be the top priority of the young generation as they will progress when the country is strong.
Addressing the 21st convocation ceremony of the University of Kashmir here, Sinha expressed happiness over the large number of female students taking top honours from the institution.
“The only priority should be country first. Always remember that when you build the country, the country builds you back. When the nation rises, so do you,” he said.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan was the chief guest at the function.
Sinha, according to an official press release, emphasised that the ideas in the classroom must impact the world. He called upon the universities to aspire to move beyond their traditional role as custodians of knowledge- evolving into vibrant centers of innovation, human development, and social transformation.
“My mantra is that industry and intellect should grow together. Our universities should collaborate with industry, innovators, research and development organisations to build ‘Viksit Bharat’ and to ensure that the higher education campuses and companies co-create the future,” the LG said.
The LG stated that the technology evolves at breakneck speed. He said that the digital revolution, artificial intelligence, global realignments, and demands for new skills are redefining higher education.
“Possibilities for collaboration and innovation stretch endlessly. Careers being prepared for today may morph tomorrow. Industries are reshaping. The real question isn’t whether change will come, but whether we can sync with it. I believe those youth will surge ahead who possess critical thinking, core knowledge, and a resolve to lifelong learning.
“Artificial Intelligence now permeates every field-healthcare, agriculture, finance, urban planning, governance. So, the question arises: Will technology serve human welfare or just profit? I see universities’ campuses crafting that answer, where knowledge fuses with life’s values,” he said.
The LG outlined three key priorities for the faculty members- “First, adaptability as every curriculum’s core skill. Second, seamless integration of AI and emerging tech with human intelligence. Third, global and interdisciplinary collaboration. Modern challenges interconnect so universities must shatter subject silos and mandate cross-disciplinary teamwork.”
The LG highlighted that our goal is to become a fully developed nation by 2047.
“Viksit Bharat isn’t a dream, but a resolve fuelled by hard work. It demands diligence, innovation, moral strength, and ceaseless invention-and this mission falls to our young generation,” the LG said.
The LG also congratulated all the medal winners and lauded the girl students for their dominant performance.
He said that out of 239 gold medals, a staggering 186 are won by our daughters and of the 164 PhDs awarded, 108 bear our daughters’ names.
“No statement could more powerfully define New India. This tells our people: Give daughters opportunity, encouragement, and equal ground, and they don’t just join—they lead, excel, and set new standards. To today’s medalists and graduates: You are not just forging your futures—you are rewriting possibilities for every young woman next at Kashmir University,” the LG said.
The dignitaries also released the Kashmir University’s Profile on the occasion.
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister; Sakina Itoo, Minister for Higher Education; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Vice-Chancellors of various universities; HoDs of different educational institutions, senior officials of civil and police administration, faculty members, students and their parents attended the convocation ceremony.
