**Executive Summary**
The Vice President of India addressed the 9th Convocation of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh on March 14, 2026. He praised the state's contributions, lauded the university's initiatives, and emphasized the importance of youth involvement in realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047. Key themes included academic heritage, faculty development, and a drug-free campus.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Praise for Himachal Pradesh:**
* The state was commended as "Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi."
* Significant contributions to the nation's armed forces were acknowledged.
* The state's hospitality, vibrant culture, and enduring traditions were praised.
* **Higher Education and Academic Heritage:**
* Ancient centers of learning like Nalanda and Takshashila were cited as examples of wisdom, scholarship, and intellectual evolution.
* Modern universities are urged to prioritize faculty development, innovation in teaching, interdisciplinary research, and global collaboration.
* The Central University of Himachal Pradesh is noted for its enthusiastic implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and introduction of subjects related to Indian Knowledge Traditions.
* The university's initiative to translate works into Dogri and Hindi literature into Punjabi was appreciated, reflecting confidence in India's intellectual traditions.
* Greater collaboration between higher education institutions and government bodies is stressed for a competitive higher education ecosystem.
* **Youth and National Development:**
* Initiatives like Startup India and Make in India provide avenues for young innovators.
* The university's "Community Lab" initiative, fostering engagement with local communities, was appreciated.
* The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires economic growth, social inclusion, technological advancement, environmental sustainability, and ethical leadership.
* Students and youth are considered crucial stakeholders in achieving this vision.
* The vision of Viksit Bharat should be based on inclusive development.
* **Drug-Free Campus and Social Responsibility:**
* The university's initiatives towards a drug-free campus were appreciated.
* Drugs adversely affect youth, society, and the nation; creating awareness against drug abuse is urged.
* Youth are called upon to use their knowledge for societal welfare and to prioritize the nation ('Rashtra Pratham').
* **Women's Empowerment:**
* Happiness was expressed over the growing number of women graduates and medalists.
* Out of 32 gold medalists at the convocation, 23 were women, reflecting empowerment and contribution.
* **Convocation Details:**
* Over 700 meritorious students were awarded degrees and medals.
* The event took place on March 14, 2026, in Dharamshala.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Students of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh**
* **Impact:** They are encouraged to embrace academic rigor, engage in research and innovation, participate in community initiatives, and commit to societal welfare and national priorities. They are also urged to reject drug use.
* **Action Required:** To utilize the knowledge gained for societal betterment, adhere to the "No to Drugs" principle, and contribute to the nation's progress.
* **Faculty and Staff of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh**
* **Impact:** They are encouraged to prioritize faculty development, foster innovation in teaching, and engage in interdisciplinary and global research. The university's broader initiatives like the "Community Lab" and its role in implementing the National Education Policy are highlighted.
* **Action Required:** To support and implement innovative teaching methods, conduct interdisciplinary research, and strengthen community engagement.
* **Higher Education Institutions (General)**
* **Impact:** The document emphasizes the need for greater collaboration between higher education institutions, including Central and State Governments, through joint research, shared expertise, and academic exchanges to build a competitive higher education ecosystem.
* **Action Required:** To foster partnerships and collaborations to enhance learning communities and global competitiveness.
* **Youth of India**
* **Impact:** They are recognized as key stakeholders in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 and are called upon to be innovators and contributors to economic growth, social inclusion, and technological advancement.
* **Action Required:** To actively participate in national development initiatives, embrace innovation, and commit to the welfare of society and the nation.
* **Government of Himachal Pradesh and State Officials**
* **Impact:** The state's contributions are recognized, and the university's initiatives are lauded, implying a continued need for support and recognition of academic and developmental efforts within the state.
* **Action Required:** To continue supporting higher education institutions and their initiatives that contribute to state and national development.
Key Entities Referenced
Central University of Himachal Pradesh: The institution where the 9th Convocation was held and which was lauded for its initiatives.
National Education Policy 2020: A policy being implemented by the Central University of Himachal Pradesh.
Viksit Bharat 2047: A vision for India's development by 2047, to which students and youth are important stakeholders.
Startup India: An initiative that has opened new avenues for young innovators.
Make in India: An initiative that has opened new avenues for young innovators.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President addresses 9th Convocation of the
Central University of Himachal Pradesh
Vice President praises Himachal Pradesh as Dev Bhoomi and
Veer Bhoomi; says the state has contributed significantly to
the nation’s armed forces
Vice President expresses happiness over the growing
number of women graduates and medalists, reflecting the
empowerment and contribution of women to the nation’s
progress
Vice President lauds the University's initiative for a drug-free
campus, calls on youth to say “No to Drugs”
Posted On: 14 MAR 2026 1:51PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice President of India,Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today addressed the 9th Convocation of the Central
University of Himachal Pradesh at Dharamshala.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 9th Convocation of the
Central University of Himachal Pradesh in Dharamshala today.
Praising Himachal Pradesh as Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi, the Vice President
said the state has made significant contributions to the nation’s… pic.twitter.com/
9cDK0wshOb
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) March 14, 2026
Praising Himachal Pradesh as Dev Bhoomi and Veer Bhoomi, the Vice President said that the state has
contributed significantly to the nation’s armed forces. He also commended the state for its rich hospitality,
vibrant culture and enduring traditions.
Referring to India’s rich academic heritage, the Vice President said that great ancient centres of learning
such as Nalanda University and Takshashila flourished because of the wisdom, scholarship and constant
intellectual evolution of their teachers. The gurus and acharyas of these institutions were lifelong learners
who refined their knowledge through debate, dialogue and research, creating an environment where ideas
flourished and civilizations advanced. In the same spirit, he emphasised that modern universities must
prioritise faculty development and encourage innovation in teaching, interdisciplinary research and globalcollaboration.
The Vice President said that the Central University of Himachal Pradesh is enthusiastically implementing
the National Education Policy 2020 and has introduced subjects related to Indian Knowledge Traditions,
thereby fostering a new culture of education with a fresh perspective. He appreciated the university’s
initiative to translate several works into Dogri and translate Hindi literature into Punjabi, noting that its
emphasis on ‘Swadeshi Chintan’ and Indian research methods reflects renewed confidence in India’s
intellectual traditions.
The Vice President stressed the need for greater collaboration between higher education institutions of the
Central and State Governments. Such partnerships through joint research, shared faculty expertise, digital
resources and academic exchanges, he said, can create a larger community of learning that benefits
students and scholars alike and contribute to building a globally competitive higher education ecosystem
for a Viksit Bharat.
The Vice President said that initiatives such as Startup India and Make in India have opened new avenues
for young innovators. He appreciated the university for encouraging innovation among youth and for its
“Community Lab” initiative, through which students and faculty engage with nearby communities,
strengthening outreach and helping students understand the realities of rural India.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he said that transforming India into a developed nation by
the centenary of independence will require economic growth, social inclusion, technological advancement,
environmental sustainability and ethical leadership. He added that students and youth are among the most
important stakeholders in realising this vision.
He emphasised that the vision of Viksit Bharat must be based on inclusive development where none of our
states or sections of society are left behind.
Appreciating the university’s initiatives towards creating a drug-free campus, he said that drugs adversely
affect youth, society and the nation, and urged everyone to create greater awareness against drug abuse.
He also called upon the youth to commit themselves to using their knowledge for the welfare of society, to
live for the betterment of the nation, to always say “No to Drugs”, and above all to keep the nation first
'Rashtra Pratham'.
He noted that at today’s convocation, more than 700 meritorious students were awarded degrees and
medals, with a majority being women. He said that Out of 32 gold medalists, 23 were young women,
reflecting the growing empowerment and contribution of women to the progress of the nation.
The Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Kavinder Gupta, the Agriculture Minister of Himachal Pradesh,
Chander Kumar, the Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Jai Ram Thakur, Members
of Parliament Rajeev Bhardwaj and Anurag Singh Thakur, Chancellor Harmohinder Singh Bedi and Vice
Chancellor Sat Prakash Bansal were present on the occasion along with faculty members, students and
other dignitaries.
***
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