As President Kovind addressed the 51st convocation of the IIT Kanpur he laid stress on the importance of the technology which can help maximize the reach of the government initiatives to the general public. At the convocation, he gave away 1500 degrees to the students.
The President told the students that their graduation is marked by excellent opportunities in the nation. "Today's India offers unprecedented hope and avenues. Our fast-growing economy offers you huge scope. With your talent, your education and your IIT degree, each of you can be a game-changer for India," he said.
He also talked about the various initiatives which the government has taken in order to improve the life of the citizens and pointed out some of some schemes such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation or AMRUT, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna, Digital India, Make in India, Start-up India, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
"Technology can be a force multiplier for all these programs. As you build your careers, please attempt to contribute to such national missions," he told the students.
He also asked the students to use their talents to upgrade and re-imagine the Kanpur as industrial and commercial hub of the nation. He also talked about how the city was central in the government’s ambitious program to clean the Gange river.
"The city is also critical to the success of Namami Gange. This is a program to not merely depollute the Ganga and conserve it from industrial effluents. It goes further. It seeks to rationalize the allocation and usage of the river's waters as well as to develop the Ganga basin," he said.
He presented medals and degrees to the meritorious students at the ceremony.
"IIT Kanpur started its first batch with just 100 students in 1960 and now 6,500 students are currently studying here. 5,000 students have completed their engineering from IIT Kanpur and they are illuminating the name of India in the world," the President said.