Nishikant Khajuria
KATRA, Feb 8: Amidst controversy over constitutional validity of Delhi Government’s move on Janlokpal Bill, the Vice-president Mohammad Hamid Ansari today pitched for a balancing act to ensure separation of powers between three pillars of Government and constituent units of the Federation.
“If followed in letter and spirit, the Constitution has answer to almost all the vexing questions confronting our nation today,” he said while addressing in the 4th Convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, here today in presence of Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Maintaining that the Constitution provides an effective legal framework for the smooth functioning of India’s large and complex democracy, Mr Ansari said polity and society in the country has to be governed by the principles of democracy, secularism and rule of law along with the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity embedded in the Constitution.
Describing Indian Constitution as a document powerful in its vision and intricate in its formulation on the basic purpose and aspirations of our society, he stressed that it is Constitution that provides a functional framework for the attainment of greater good of the country.
“It (Constitution) provides the contours of a value system from which an enlightened citizenry could derive guidance. Especially from the principles listed in its Preamble, in the section on fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties,” he said.
“The Constitution of India is the fundamental law of the land and the foundation on which our Republic rests. It is a constitutive document which recognizes and created an identity, articulating a vision of what it means to be an Indian,” he added.
The Vice-President also stressed the need for reconciling the limits of Government powers with individual rights and duties.
Exhorting the students to keep learning and pursue excellence, he also cautioned them against the risk of underestimating the importance of social and ethical content in education. “Education has to play a critical role in imparting these values and turning out more responsible citizens of tomorrow,” he said and congratulated the pass-outs of SMVDU.
Mr Ansari also said that creating a responsible citizenry is a task which can not be left only to the Government but needs to begin at the school level with the cooperation and support of parents, guardians and the wider community.
Earlier, Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chancellor of SMVDU and presided over the convocation, observed that to secure maximum advantage of the demographic dividend there is urgent need for equipping our youth with sound knowledge and skills so that they could contribute in a big way towards the economic advancement of the country.
“By the year 2020 two-third population of our country will comprise persons of an average age of 29 years and this vast human resource can be a great opportunity and make a very large difference in addressing varied challenges and placing the country on the path of rapid economic development,” he said.
Recalling the aims and objectives of establishment of SMVDU, the Governor said that quality research in the new and emerging areas with a sharp focus on innovations can lead to sustained economic growth.
He observed that the University set up in the shadow of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine aims at achieving excellence in teaching and research along with nurturing sound moral, ethical and spiritual values among the students. These factors, he said, are very important for holistic development of youth and to keep them in better stead in the present and emerging job market, besides making them valuable members of the society.
He said that infrastructure of SMVDU is being further expanded and new courses in sync with job market requirements are being introduced so that this University could become a centre of excellence and a sought after institution within the country and abroad.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his address, said that universities and centers of learning which have an innovative and vigorous spirit can take Jammu and Kashmir to new heights.
He asked the passing out graduates and post-graduates to be fully prepared to face challenges and bring laurels to all they belong. “You have been fully imparted education and skills and you have to prove your caliber and mettle to shine-bright your parents, your Institutions and your State”, he said.
The Chief Minister said that SMVDU in its young age has made remarkable strides and is emerging as one of the renowned universities in the Country. “The students getting education in this university are also having mind-blowing and thought-provoking natural surroundings and environment befitting for an educational institution. You should take full advantage of the faculty, facility and environment to excel and grow both educationally and as the fine human beings”, he said and appreciated the efforts of the University for its continuous progress and growth in the shortest period of time.
In his address, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the economic development of any country depends on the quality of its human resources and the skilled manpower base which is developed through the effective education system.
“Higher educational institutions and universities go a long way in fulfilling this objective and investment in education sector is the key to people’s empowerment, progress and prosperity,” he said adding that standards of higher education need to be continuously improved to make universities world class seats of learning and innovations in teaching and research fields.
Congratulating the passing-out students, Dr Abdullah asked them to utilize their knowledge acquired and skills gained for the benefit of the society and the country.
On the occasion, the Governor awarded degrees to 751 students and signed the Scroll Award of Degrees, which was followed by Oath taking by the degree recipients.
The Vice-President presented the awards of excellence to the recipients, who included Megha Sharma, Prateek Garg, Sheena Sahni, Shiraj Arora, Rohani Sharma, Palak Arora, Ria Gupta, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshila Raina, Aditya Bakshi and Paras Gupta.
All the dignitaries on the dais, including the Vice-President, were attired in ceremonial robes.
Earlier, Prof Sudhir K Jain, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU, presented Vice Chancellor’s Report, highlighting the past achievements and future plan of action. He gave details of the campus placements, publications brought out by the University, research projects being undertaken and the various workshops and conferences organized by this institution. He said that various initiatives have been taken to build this institution as a centre of excellence.
The Vice Chancellors of Jammu University, Kashmir University, Legislators, members of the Executive Council of the varsity, Chief Secretary, members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, senior civil and Police officers, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board and prominent personalities from various walks of life were present on the occasion.
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