Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, speaking at the 10th Convocation of IIT Jodhpur, stressed that foreign languages should not pose an insurmountable barrier to learning sciences, medicine, and technology. He encouraged students to overcome traditional barriers in education by integrating Gyaan (knowledge) and Vigyan (science).
“Under the NEP, students now have the freedom to combine non-traditional subjects—a harmonious blend of Gyaan and Vigyan, technology, and knowledge. Medical students can now explore economics or music alongside their main studies, promoting a holistic and well-rounded education,” he explained.
He emphasised that “India’s future innovators will be those who transcend rigid academic boundaries.” Dhankhar praised IIT Jodhpur for leading the way as the first institution in India to offer engineering and technology courses in the mother tongue.
“There are many countries excelling in engineering without relying on foreign languages—think of Japan, Germany, or China. Our ancient thinkers, whether Baudhayana or Pythagoras, didn’t rely on English to develop their ideas; they formulated groundbreaking theorems in their native languages,” he noted.
On India’s economic trajectory, Dhankhar urged collective effort to break free from the middle-income trap and achieve developed nation status by 2047: “We need to raise our per capita income eightfold by our centennial celebrations of independence. This goal is both reachable and realistic. We must create high-value employment opportunities.”
Acknowledging India’s leadership in the digital economy, he pointed out that the nation has set a global example of technological adoption and transformation: “India sees an average of 466 million digital transactions daily, driven by UPI’s revolutionary impact. This model has even gained acceptance abroad.”
In closing, Dhankhar encouraged India’s youth to embrace optimism and play a pivotal role in the country’s development: “The world is eager to be part of Bharat’s growth story, with global partners seeking to anchor their supply chains here. Today’s world sees India as a leader in technology and innovation. Our youth should reject the ‘doom and gloom’ mindset of the past and drive a prosperous, self-reliant India forward.”
(With inputs from ANI)