**Executive Summary**
On February 26, 2023, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 21st Convocation Ceremony of the University of Kashmir in Srinagar. He lauded the university's achievements, emphasized the importance of adapting to change, and encouraged the youth to pursue Swadeshi innovations. The convocation was attended by several dignitaries.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **University of Kashmir Address:**
* The Vice-President addressed the 21st Convocation Ceremony of the University of Kashmir as chief guest, marking his first visit as Vice-President to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
* He lauded the university for its legacy, NAAC A++ Grade, 34th rank in NIRF University category, and over 7,700 research publications since 2019.
* **Women's Empowerment:**
* The Vice-President expressed happiness over the fact that the Minister for Higher Education and Vice-Chancellor of the University are women, and that a majority of gold medal recipients were women, highlighting women's empowerment in Jammu & Kashmir.
* **Message to Graduates:**
* Graduates were urged to adapt to change, equip themselves with new skills, and embrace innovation, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
* He urged the youth to stay away from drugs and use social media responsibly.
* **Development Initiatives:**
* The Vice-President highlighted development initiatives in the region under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, including airport expansion and infrastructure projects.
* He expressed hope that Srinagar would become the cleanest city under Swachhta Survekshan.
* **National Integration:**
* He emphasized the importance of respecting others' sentiments in a democracy, citing a past visit from a delegation from Jammu & Kashmir to Jharkhand.
**Impact Analysis**
**Graduating Students**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to adapt to change, embrace innovation, and contribute to the nation's vision.
* **Action Required:** Continuously adapt, equip themselves with new skills, and pursue Swadeshi innovations.
**University of Kashmir**
* **Impact:** Recognition of its achievements and ongoing efforts to enhance academic excellence and global presence.
* **Action Required:** Continue pioneering initiatives to further improve the university's standing and contribution to society.
**Youth of Jammu & Kashmir**
* **Impact:** Urged to stay away from drugs and use social media responsibly.
* **Action Required:** Avoid substance abuse and practice responsible social media usage.
**Leadership of Jammu & Kashmir (Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister)**
* **Impact:** Encouraged to strive for making Srinagar the cleanest city in the country under Swachhta Survekshan.
* **Action Required:** Implement initiatives to improve cleanliness and sanitation in Srinagar to achieve the Swachhta Survekshan goals.
Key Entities Referenced
University of Kashmir: Higher education institution where the 21st convocation was addressed by the Vice-President.
Jammu & Kashmir: Union Territory where the University of Kashmir is located and the event took place.
C. P. Radhakrishnan: Vice-President of India, addressed the convocation.
Viksit Bharat@2047: Vision encouraged by the Vice-President, urging youth to pursue Swadeshi innovations aligned with national priorities
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Initiative under which a delegation from Jammu & Kashmir visited the state of Jharkhand
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan
Addresses 21st Convocation of University of
Kashmir
Women Shine at Kashmir University Convocation, Says Vice-
President
Change is the Only Constant: Vice-President Urges
Graduates to Adapt and Innovate
Vice-President at Kashmir University Convocation: “Yah Hum
Sabka Kashmir Hai”
Respecting Others’ Sentiments is Core to Democracy: Vice-
President
Posted On: 26 FEB 2026 2:19PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the 21st Convocation Ceremony of the
University of Kashmir as chief guest in Srinagar today, marking his first-ever visit to the Union Territory
of Jammu & Kashmir as the Vice-President of India.
Congratulating the graduating students, the Vice-President observed that while universities may be known
for infrastructure and academic excellence, their true legacy is reflected in the character and contributions
of their graduates. He lauded the University of Kashmir, established in 1948, for its proud legacy and
expanding academic footprint. He commended the University’s NAAC A++ Grade, 34th rank in the NIRF
University category, over 7,700 research publications since 2019 and pioneering initiatives such as the
National Himalayan Ice-Core Laboratory, which underline its growing global presence .
The Vice-President expressed special happiness over three significant aspects of the convocation: that the
Minister for Higher Education is a woman, the Vice-Chancellor of the University is a woman, and that a
majority of gold medal recipients were women. He described this as a powerful reflection of women’s
empowerment and progress in Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing the students, he noted that they are graduating in a rapidly changing world and reminded them
that “change is the only constant.” He urged them to continuously adapt, equip themselves with new skills,
and embrace innovation. Emphasising that India is emerging as an innovator of technology, he encouraged
the youth to pursue Swadeshi innovations aligned with national priorities and contribute to the vision of
Viksit Bharat@2047 .Highlighting development initiatives under leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the
region, including the expansion of Srinagar International Airport and landmark infrastructure projects such
as the Chenab Rail Bridge, the Vice-President said these initiatives create new opportunities and
strengthen social harmony. He expressed hope that under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor and
the Chief Minister, Srinagar would emerge as the cleanest city in the country under the Swachhta
Survekshan.
Recalling his tenure as Governor of Jharkhand, the Vice-President shared that a delegation from Jammu &
Kashmir had visited the state under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative and was warmly received.
He underlined that in a democracy, respecting the sentiments of others is as important as respecting one’s
own sentiments, and such exchanges deepen national integration.
In his concluding remarks, the Vice-President urged the youth to stay away from drugs and use social
media responsibly. He reminded them that life will test their patience, courage and character beyond the
classroom. Ending his address on a note of unity and belonging, he said, “Yah na mera Kashmir hai, na
tumhara Kashmir hai — yah hum sabka Kashmir hai.”
The ceremony was attended by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and Chancellor of the
University of Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha; the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Pro-Chancellor of
the University of Kashmir, Shri Omar Abdullah; the Minister for Higher Education, J&K, Ms. Sakeena
Masood Itoo; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof. Nilofer Khan; senior faculty
members, distinguished guests, parents and graduating students .
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