**Executive Summary**
On January 15, 2026, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, addressed the convocation ceremony of Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, Punjab. The President emphasized that education serves not only as a means of livelihood but also as a means of serving society and the nation. The President urged the educational institutions to guide the youth in the right direction.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **President's Address:**
* Students will pursue diverse paths after education, including government service, private sector roles, higher education, entrepreneurship, and teaching.
* Essential qualities for success include a desire to learn, adherence to moral values, courage to embrace change, and a spirit of teamwork.
* Students owe a debt to society and should contribute to uplifting those left behind in development.
* **India's Progress:**
* India has made significant progress in technology development and entrepreneurship.
* Numerous opportunities are available in various sectors from Agriculture to AI and Defence to Space.
* Educational institutions should promote research, industry-academia collaboration, and socially relevant innovations.
* **Social Issues:**
* Drug abuse is a serious problem in Punjab, affecting the health and moral fabric of society.
* Educational institutions, especially Guru Nanak Dev University, are crucial in guiding youth.
* **Future Vision:**
* The next two decades are crucial for making 'Viksit Bharat'.
* The future of India depends on youth with scientific temper, responsibility, and selfless service.
* Higher education institutions should instill these values.
* **Guru Nanak Dev University:**
* The university was established during the 500th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
* The university strives for women's empowerment.
* Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings are our shared heritage, and his thoughts and ideals pave the way for the welfare of all humanity.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students**
* **Impact:** To recognize the broader societal role of education beyond personal gain and consider how their skills can contribute to the nation's progress.
* **Action Required:** Strive to embody the essential qualities mentioned by the President and consider how to repay the debt owed to society through their actions.
**Educational Institutions (Specifically Guru Nanak Dev University)**
* **Impact:** To play a critical role in guiding students toward socially responsible and innovative paths.
* **Action Required:** Promote research, industry collaboration, and incorporate values of service, integrity, and social responsibility into their educational programs.
**Youth of Punjab**
* **Impact:** To address the challenge of drug abuse and its impact on the moral fabric of society.
* **Action Required:** To act responsibly and serve selflessly. Higher education institutions should inculcate these values in their students.
**Nation**
* **Impact:** Future development depends on the present youth.
* **Action Required:** Ensure that whatever profession they choose, their contribution should strengthen the nation and reinforce human values.
Key Entities Referenced
Guru Nanak Dev University: University where the convocation ceremony took place; the focus of the President's address
President Droupadi Murmu: The President of India who delivered the convocation address
Punjab: State where the Guru Nanak Dev University is located, impacting the state's youth and drug abuse problem
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES CONVOCATION
CEREMONY OF GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY
EDUCATION IS NOT MERELY A MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD; IT
IS ALSO A MEANS OF SERVING SOCIETY AND THE NATION:
PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
प्रव तथ: 15 JAN 2026 1:53PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced and addressed the convocation ceremony of the
Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar, Punjab today (January 15, 2026).
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that after completing formal education, students will embark
on their journeys in different directions. Some will serve in the government or private sector, others will
pursue higher education or research, while many will establish their own ventures or build their careers in
teaching. While each field requires different types of qualifications and skills, some qualities are equally
essential and helpful for progress in every field. These are - a continuous desire and inclination to learn;
firm adherence to moral values, integrity, and honesty, even in adverse and difficult circumstances; the
courage to embrace change; the determination to learn from failures and move forward; a spirit of
teamwork and collaboration; disciplined use of time and resources; and using knowledge and abilities not
for individual gain, but for the greater good of society and the nation. She stated that these qualities will
not only make them a good professional but also a responsible citizen.The President advised students to remember that education is not merely a means of livelihood. It is also a
means of serving society and the nation. She said that they owe a debt to the society which has contributed
to their education. Making efforts to uplift those who have been left behind in the development journey
can be one of the ways of repaying the debts.
The President said that in the last decade, India has made remarkable progress in the fields of technology
development and entrepreneurship culture. Today, numerous entrepreneurial opportunities from
Agriculture to AI and from Defence to Space are available to young people. Our higher educationinstitutions can further accelerate this progress by promoting research, strengthening industry-academia
collaboration, and encouraging socially relevant innovations.
The President said that in recent years, the problem of drug abuse has emerged as a serious challenge in
Punjab, affecting the youth the most. This problem is impacting not only health but also the social,
economic, and moral fabric of society. A lasting solution to this problem is essential for a healthy society.
In this context, the role of educational institutions like Guru Nanak Dev University is crucial. All
stakeholders of this university should make every possible effort to guide the youth in the right direction.
The President said that the next two decades are very important in making ‘Viksit Bharat’. The future of
India depends on young people who possess a scientific temper, act responsibly and serve selflessly. She
urged higher education institutions to inculcate these values in their students. She also urged young
students to ensure that whatever profession they choose, their contribution should strengthen the nation
and reinforce human values.
The President was happy to note that Guru Nanak Dev University was established during the 500th birth
anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his teachings and values are the guiding principles of this
university. She stated that Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings are our shared heritage, and his thoughts and
ideals pave the way for the welfare of all humanity. By incorporating his ideals into our lives, we can find
solutions to many of the problems plaguing society.The President said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that women should be given equal rights in society.
She was happy to note that Guru Nanak Dev University is striving for women's empowerment in
accordance with the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, which is evident in the dominance of female students
among those receiving degrees and medals at the convocation ceremony. She stated that it is in the interest
of society and the nation that women have opportunities to move forward with full confidence, and
everyone should strive for this.
Please click here to see the President's Speech-
***
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