**Executive Summary**
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the convocation ceremony of Fakir Mohan University in Balasore, Odisha on February 3, 2026. She emphasized the importance of universities as catalysts for inclusive growth, innovation, and social transformation. She highlighted the role of education in one's mother tongue and the importance of connecting with cultural values.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **President’s Address and Inauguration**
* The President inaugurated the new Auditorium at Fakir Mohan University.
* She paid tribute to Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati Ji, emphasizing his influence on her.
* **Emphasis on Education and Culture**
* Education in one's mother tongue is crucial for understanding surroundings, customs, and cultural environment.
* National Education Policy-2020 emphasizes the importance of the mother tongue.
* India has a rich knowledge tradition evident in its scriptures and manuscripts.
* **Advice to Graduating Students**
* Achieve respect and recognition through knowledge, passion, and commitment.
* Dedication is key to success in every endeavor.
* Making life meaningful is more important than merely achieving success.
* Students should help those left behind in their developmental journey.
* **University’s Role and Vision**
* Fakir Mohan University gives importance to research and outreach programs.
* The Balasore-Bhadrak region is famous for paddy, betel leaves, and fish, and the university conducts research and training programs in these sectors.
* The University's programs like 'Back to School', 'Earn While Learn', 'Each One Teach One', and programs for environmental awareness and beach cleaning are commendable.
* Universities have a special responsibility to act as catalysts of inclusive growth, innovation, and social transformation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Graduating Students**
* **Impact:** Receives advice and encouragement to use their education for societal benefit and personal growth.
* **Action Required:** Pursue their endeavors with dedication and focus on making a meaningful impact on society, while helping others.
**Fakir Mohan University**
* **Impact:** Recognized for its commitment to research, outreach programs, and its role in fostering community development.
* **Action Required:** Continue its efforts in research, academic studies, and community engagement to promote transformative change.
**Other Universities in India**
* **Impact:** Called upon to act as catalysts for inclusive growth, innovation, and social transformation.
* **Action Required:** Nurture critical thinking, ethical leadership, and research that responds to local and global challenges, shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
Key Entities Referenced
Droupadi Murmu: The President of India, whose address at Fakir Mohan University is the subject of the release.
National Education Policy-2020: A policy document that emphasizes the importance of mother tongue in education, referenced by the President.
Fakir Mohan University: University at Balasore, Odisha, where the President addressed the convocation ceremony.
Balasore: The city in Odisha where Fakir Mohan University is located, and the broader Balasore-Bhadrak region known for specific agricultural products.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES CONVOCATION
CEREMONY OF FAKIR MOHAN UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITIES HAVE A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT
AS CATALYSTS OF INCLUSIVE GROWTH, INNOVATION AND
SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION: PRESIDENT DROUPADI
MURMU
Posted On: 03 FEB 2026 5:17PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the convocation ceremony of Fakir
Mohan University and inaugurated its new Auditorium at Balasore, Odisha, today (February 3, 2026).
Speaking on the occasion, the President paid tributes to Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Senapati Ji and said that
during her student days, she was deeply influenced by his timeless story, 'Revati'. That influence remains
indelible. The determination of a girl to pursue her education in the 19th century is an enduring testament
to her spirit. She said she studied in a remote tribal village and, with her firm resolve, went to
Bhubaneswar, where she completed her high school and college education. In this way, Fakir Mohan Ji
has been an inspiration to her.
The President said that Fakir Mohan Ji had deep love for his mother tongue. He wrote, "My mother tongue
is supreme to me." She stated that receiving education in one's mother tongue allows students to
understand their surroundings, customs and cultural environment properly, along with the studies. They
become well-acquainted with their civilizational values and way of life. She underlined that the National
Education Policy-2020 emphasizes the importance of mother tongue and guides students to stay connected
to their culture.
The President said that India has a rich knowledge tradition. Our scriptures and manuscripts are full of
knowledge and wisdom. Apart from poetry and literature, they are also a source of knowledge in areas
including science, medicine, astronomy and architecture. Young students can conduct research in this
ancient knowledge tradition. She said that by understanding the past and comprehending the present, the
students can shape their own future as well as the future of the country.
The President congratulated graduating students and said that on the basis of strength of knowledge,
passion and commitment, they can achieve respect and recognition in society. She advised them that
wherever they go and whatever they do, the key to success in every endeavour is dedication. She said that
successful life and meaningful life are not the same. She added that successful life is good, but making life
meaningful is even better. She said that it is important to achieve fame, gain prestige and become
financially secure, but one should also do something for others. She urged students to help those who have
been left behind in their developmental journey. She said that the development of society lies in the
development of everyone.The President was happy to note that Fakir Mohan University gives importance to research and outreach
programs in addition to academic studies. She stated that the Balasore-Bhadrak region is famous for
paddy, betel leaves, and fish. She appreciated the university for conducting research and training programs
in these sectors. She said that the university's programs such as 'Back to School', 'Earn While Learn', 'Each
One Teach One', and programs for environmental awareness and beach cleaning are praiseworthy. As blue
crabs are found in abundance on the beaches of Balasore and Bhadrak, establishing a research centre on
blue crabs or horseshoe crabs demonstrates the university's foresight.
The President said that the growth, security and technological development of all sections of society will
accelerate the country's progress. All universities in the country have a crucial role to play in this field.
Universities have a special responsibility to act as catalysts of inclusive growth, innovation and social
transformation. By nurturing critical thinking, ethical leadership and research that responds to local and
global challenges, institutions of higher learning can shape a future that is sustainable, equitable and
rooted in human values. She expressed confidence that Fakir Mohan University, through its academic
vision and community engagement, will play a transformative role in this direction.******
MJPS/SR
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