Kalam, former President of India, delivering his Convocation Address on the 3rd Convocation of National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur in Himacha

By Bijender Sharma in Hamirpur
Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, former President of India, delivering his Convocation Address on the 3rd Convocation of National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur, on NIT a partner in national development emphasized the need for a creative leadership in different disciplines exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the commander to the coach, manager to mentor, from director to delegation, and from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect.

Former President spoke in detail about system integration, engineering and management, integrated mission for economic development of Himachal Pradesh, dimensions of knowledge society, distinctive profile of India by2020, integrated action plan for developed India, national mission and opportunities i.e. Infrastructure, Energy, Safe Drinking Water, Health Care, Pharma Vision, Information and Communication Technology, AeroSpace Field, Automobiles, Shipbuilding, Rail Vision-2030, PURA Mission etc. He said that all above had social, research and technological content with substantial amount of opportunities for engineers and technocrats leading to cost effective economic growth of the nation in the globalized scenario.

Dr. Kalam congratulated the State Government for creating quality infrastructure of basic amenities like road, electricity, drinking water and health services in the villages, which were basic ingredients to make HP a role model state in real sense. He said that NIT Hamirpur need study various Missions and give plan of action to the State Government for implementation, supported with technical human resource to emerge development partner of Himachal Pradesh.

He advised NIT to work out strategies for the per capita income of employable people of Hamirpur by knowledge empowerment and facilitating the creation of small and micro industries based on the raw material and core competence available. He said that Hamirpur topography suited most to bio-diesel plant cultivation and NIT need to encourage people participation in the same. He emphasized the need to adopt all local 20 senior secondary schools for quality education enhancement as also create energy independence plan for the district through micro-hydel plants, solar energy systems, bio-mass fed plants and wind power, whichever was possible, and also carry dense afforestation of the district to make it fossil fuels free.

Former President assigned NIT the task to study systematically the products and processes from small scale, khadi and village industries and come out in next six months with an action plan as how such industries could be enabled to increase its production and increase exports to outside the State and the country.

Dr. Kalam advised the young NIT engineers to form working groups on each of the pillars of development profile and come out with suggestion as to how an academic institution like NIT, and engineering profession can contribute to each of the pillars. He described threadbare the distinctive profile of India by 2020, making India prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy, and continue with a sustainable growth path to make it the best place to live in and to be proud of its leaderships.

Former President administered an Eight Point Oath to graduating students to bring about professional efficiency in their practical life and contribute significantly towards the nation with their technological skills and resolve all crisis coming in their way with confidence and positive attitude. He advised them to take oath to work committedly for removal of problems faced by planet earth in the areas of water, energy, habitat, waste management, and environment through the application of science and technology, and thereby bring glory to the nation.

Dr. Kalam awarded medals to outstanding NIT graduates.

Earlier Dr. Kalam dedicated the new Computer Centre to the students of NIT in the presence of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister. He also interacted with the local school children drawn from various schools of the district in NIT complex organized by the District Administration where he was welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner Shri Abhishek Jain.

Addressing the Convocation after he welcomed Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India to Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, gave a clarion call to the engineering fraternity to respect the environmental requirements of meeting the quality and relevance in technical education on the one hand and on the other they would be required to respond to the state's needs for technological innovations in solving problems relating to harnessing of its 'White Gold', viz, the vast hydro power potential and also to provide platform o the industrial units for getting need based research carried out. He said that it was for the engineers and designers of projects to evolve acceptable solutions to the environmental problems and social issues of global standards. He said that unless sensitization of all such issues was done in curricula, the young graduating engineers would be struggling hard to fathom the implications and to find solutions in the field. He added that professional qualification alone does not help while one was required to be good team worker with helping attitude compassion and sense of competitions, fairness, sincerity, dedication and honesty. He said that all such qualities will stand in good stead to the young graduates not only to become qualified and successful personnel but also responsible citizens of the world. He expected NIT graduates to come true to the aspirations and expectations and bring good name to the institute and the state of Himachal Pradesh with their achievements.

Chief Minister emphasized the need not to let enthusiasm and spirit get mauled. He said that engineers build the country and no programme without their active involvement was possible. He said that engineers needed to perform their role and discharge their functions with a sense of devotion and commitment that was expected of those who embark upon nation building. He said that the engineers were responsible to build industrial muscles and sinew of the country.

Prof. Dhumal congratulated the NIT faculty for making it a national level institute of vocational education attaining the status of national importance like IITs. He said that in the face of stiff competition in the field of technical education, NIT had emerged as a place of preference and not as a last choice for the young and bright students. He also congratulated the medal winners and degree recipients and said that the nation would be pinning hope upon their professional calibre and competence. He also awarded meritorious graduates with medals.

Dr. R.L.Chauhan, Chairman of the Governing Body of NIT declared the 3rd Convocation open and introduced Chief Guest former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to the Convocation and welcomed all the distinguished dignitaries. He detailed importance and role of professionally qualified personnel in the prevailing economic slowdown scenario. He also awarded medals to the passing out engineering graduates in different disciplines.

Dr. I.K. Bhatt, Director NIT, welcomed the Chief Minister, and read Annual Report of the Institution, detailing various achievements and activities during past years. He awarded the graduating students with their degrees.

Shri A.L. Sharma, Registrar NIT, lead at the Convocation procession to the dias.

Smt. Urmil Thakur, Shri Rajesh Dharmani, MLAs, Shri Rasil Singh Mankotia, Chairman, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank, Shri Pyare Lal Sharma, Member, State BJP Executive Committee, Smt. Veena Sharma, President, District Hamirpur BJP Mahila Morcha, Dr. Sulakshana Puri, Director of Health Services, Shri Abhishek Jain, DC, Shri Asif Jalal, SP, other dignitaries, academicians and prominent people were present on the occasion.