Vice President Venkaiah Naidu calls for out-of-box solutions to address challenges faced by common man

Hyderabad: Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Indian community was built on the foundations of fundamentally tolerant civilization and that the country celebrates religious diversity by upholding religious freedom.

Speaking at the Graduation Day Ceremony of the Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology, in Hyderabad today, the Vice President said that India believes in inclusivity wherein every citizen has the same entitlements irrespective of his or her religious leanings.

Observing that every citizen was guaranteed equality without any discrimination based on religion under the Constitution, Shri Naidu said that the motto of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" has its roots in the core principles of Indian civilization.

The Vice President said that certain aberrations like looking at minorities as vote banks might have had some undesirable socio-political ramifications and added that the situation was changing as a new, young and aspirational India was emerging fast.

Naidu said that equality of religions observed in all walks of public life in India enabled leaders from minority religions to rise to hold the offices of President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governors, Chief Justices, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Chief Election Commissioners, Attorney Generals and Army Chief's besides making major contributions in other walks of public life like music, culture, sports, films etc.

Observing that India was the birth place of four major religions of the world - namely, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism and a significant population of three other religions of the world namely Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism live in India, Shri Naidu opined that such cohabitation of the people of seven major religions of the world was a testimony to the values of fraternity, equality, assimilation and accommodation that were integral to Indian way of thought and living.

The Vice President said that all through the ages, Indian philosophers and rulers and the modern political leadership have expounded and upheld the principles of equality and tolerance. He also said that the world can be rest assured that India celebrates its religious diversity by upholding religious freedoms. No other country matches India in respect of such diversity and the commitment to preserve such a colourful mosaic, he added.

Calling upon the students to come up with innovative and out-of-box solutions to the challenges faced by the common man, the Vice President said that every technological breakthrough must aim at addressing challenges posed by climate change, pollution, rapid industrialization, urbanization, water shortage and agrarian distress. He also stressed the need to make agriculture profitable and sustainable.

Observing that higher education has a unique role in preparing torchbearers of tomorrow, Naidu said that it was essential for institutions to mould the next generation by inculcating the core values of patriotism, honesty, social responsibility, discipline, compassion, respect for women and pluralism.

"The students have to be made aware of the need to preserve traditional values and to be socially conscious and empathetic. They also need to develop a positive attitude and shun negativism," he added.

Advising universities and higher education institutions to accord greater importance to research and publication of quality papers in peer-reviewed international journals, Naidu said every one of you should be aware of the importance of intellectual property rights and filing of patents.

Observing that India was on the threshold of emerging as a major economic power, the Vice President opined that the vision of higher education must be to realize the country's human resource potential to its fullest with equity and inclusion. "Education is the single most important element in converting our young population into national assets", he added.

Naidu asked the graduating students, to be fearless in charting new territories and adopt team work as the success 'mantra'. He wanted them to dream big and work hard to achieve their dreams.

Home Minister of Telangana Mohammad Mahmood Ali, Vice Chancellor of Osmania University Prof. S. Ramachandram, Sultan-ul-Uloom Education Society Secretary Zafar Javeed, Sultan ul-Uloom Education Society Chairman Khan Lateef Mohd. Khan and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.