President Draupadi Murmu attends the third and fourth convocation of IIT Bhilai, said – IITians have made their special identity at the global level

Raipur: Today, October 26,2024 will be written in golden letters for the National Institute of Technology, Bhilai. The President of the country, Draupadi Murmu, attended the third and fourth convocation of this institute as the chief guest and awarded gold medals to the talented students of various engineering branches of the institute with her own hands. On this occasion, Governor Shri Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the convocation as special guests.

President Draupadi Murmu also congratulated all the students who received degrees and medals, their parents, professors and colleagues. She said that today is the day for you to remind yourself that you are ready to enter the outside world as a responsible citizen and a capable person. She said that the special efforts made by IIT Bhilai in the technical field for the progress of the tribal society are commendable. IIT Bhilai has specially focused on agritech, healthtech and think tank. IIT Bhilai has collaborated with AIIMS Raipur in the healthcare sector to create mobile phone apps, which help villagers get medical help at home. This institute has also collaborated with Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Raipur to create solutions for farmers. This gives them guidance and help to use their resources properly. It is commendable that 6 lakh farmers are using a mobile application called Crop Doctor. This institute is promoting socially relevant research. National security and defense related projects are also being run here. Along with this, research is also being done on minor forest produce like Mahua. IIT Bhilai is moving forward with an inclusive thinking and quality education is being provided to the youth of deprived and backward classes here. This institute has also taken steps to increase the number and participation of girl students.

IIT students have made their special identity in the field of science and technology at the global level. While leading a global company, our IITians have achieved a high position in the 21st century world with their technology and skills. IIT students have chosen the path of self-employment and entrepreneurship and have created jobs.

IITians have contributed to the progress of the country and the world with their pioneering discoveries, their scientific thinking, innovative and far-sighted approach. They have also promoted digital transformation and startup culture in India.

We all know the important role of IIT eco-system in giving the country a high place in the world through technological development. All of you students have a big responsibility to carry forward this tradition. The students here will use the latest technology. In the field of application, it is said no risk no gain. In other words, success in self-employment cannot be achieved with the mentality of not taking risk. We will keep moving forward with risk appetite.

You all know AI, blockchain, augmented reality, quantum computing, cyber security and other technologies. He asked the youth to develop new technology and work towards making the world a better place. The Government of India has established 23 IITs across the country to provide technical higher education to the youth of all regions of the country. Highest quality education is being provided. IITs will create a strong eco-system to face the future challenges in the country. This eco-system will become the identity of developed India. IIT Bhilai, with new dreams, new thinking, latest technology, this institute and students will bring glory to the country. He said that my infinite best wishes for your journey to develop the country and further enhance India’s reputation at the global level. My best wishes are that your future is bright and you keep setting new records of development.

Governor Ramen Deka congratulated everyone on this historic occasion of the third and fourth joint convocation of IIT Bhilai. It is an honour for all of us in Chhattisgarh that our honourable President has honoured us with his presence in this ceremony today.

Governor Deka said that the establishment of IIT Bhilai in Chhattisgarh in the year 2016 filled the long-standing gap in the field of technical higher education in the state. The permanent campus of this institute was dedicated to the nation by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 20 February 2024. It is a matter of great pride for us that this institute of national importance with global thinking and vision is now flourishing in our state. In a very short span of time, this institute has made significant progress in making its place in the hearts and minds of the people of Chhattisgarh. The Governor said that Chhattisgarh is famous as the rice bowl of India.

Our state is rich in natural resources and minerals as well as cultural heritage. This institute is working with various branches of our government on issues of direct social and economic relevance to the people of our state. Several MoUs have been signed between departments, agencies of the Government of Chhattisgarh and IIT Bhilai. Some of the projects relate to river revival, capacity building of district administration and preserving the intangible heritage of the state. Congratulating all the students, teachers and staff of the institute, he said that in future this institute will achieve great achievements for our state and nation.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that the President of the country, homourable Draupadi Murmu is present in the third and fourth joint convocation of Chhattisgarh’s glorious educational institution IIT Bhilai. I am also feeling proud by her presence on this stage. He congratulated all the students. Chief Minister Sai informed that the foundation stone of this institute was laid by our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 14 June 2018. He dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent campus of the institute to the nation on 20 February 2024. When the illustrious Prime Minister Shri Modi laid the foundation of a glorious institute like IIT Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, he also laid the foundation of the golden future of this state. The Chief Minister said that this is the time of technology. The country and state which has the power of technology will develop that much faster.

Today India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world. We are moving forward with the resolve to build a developed India and a developed Chhattisgarh. These goals cannot be achieved without achieving technology. It is our good fortune that the state has excellent institutes like IIT Bhilai as well as Triple IT, NIT. These institutes are creating an energetic young generation equipped with technology which is going to play an important role in the economic development of the country and the state.

IIT Bhilai is working with our government to establish a state-of-the-art IT park in our state. This will open up opportunities for the youth in the field of information technology as well as smart manufacturing, transportation, agritech and healthtech. Similarly, IIT Bhilai is working with our government to establish a Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Chhattisgarh. This center will create an AI based centralized command and control center for the schools of Chhattisgarh. It will provide us information regarding the performance of schools, infrastructure and number of students etc. This will help in making accurate decisions regarding the formulation of policies and distribution of resources.

The ceremony was attended by Shri K. Venkataraman, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Bhilai, Director Professor Rajiv Prakash, Divisional Commissioner S.N. Rathore, IG RG Garg, Collector Richa Prakash Chaudhary, SP Jitendra Shukla, local public representatives and professors and students of the institute .