Chandigarh: The Vice President of India and Chancellor of Panjab University Chandigarh M Venkaiah Naidu today said that motherland, mother tongue and teacher have utmost importance in life so all these should be respected.
He was addressing the 67th annual convocation of Panjab University at Chandigarh. Starting his lecture in Punjab language he said that we should not hesitate to speak in our mother tongue.
Referring honours bestowed upon some eminent personalities he said that honouring seniors and eminent is our culture and tradition and it also encourages the younger generation. Referring Milkha Singh Naidu said that Milkha Singh is inspiration for all of us.Mentioning importance of nature he advised the institutions, the students should be exposed to nature. He called on the youth to take care of their health and nature for better future.He said that concerns of ecology, of human welfare and welfare of the planet are equally imperative.
He said that students should have freedom to express and talk but at the same time, they need to be aware that their freedom should not hurt the freedom and sentiments of others. Defining the word Hindu he said that Hindu is not a religion but way of life.
He said that people should have tolerance for all religion and philosophies.Vice President said that education is not only for employment but for empowerment, enhancement of knowledge and enlightenment.
Prior to his address Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu confered honorary degrees DL (honoris causa) on Justice J S Kehar, DSc (honoris causa) on Prof MM Sharma (FRS) and DSc, (honoris causa) on Prof Sir Tejinder Singh Virdee (FRS). He also honoured the legendary athlete S Milkha Singh with Khel Rattan, Prof Emeritus B N Goswami with Gyan Rattan and industrialist Sunil Kant Munjal with Udhyog Rattan.
He also inaugurated the online degree system through NAD on this occasion.