‘Democracy has a capacity to reconcile all differences to bring out best for citizens'
Srinagar, Jul 27: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said that violence was never part of ‘Kashmiriyat' and the local traditions but has become a daily reality now.
Kovind in his address at Sher-I-Kashmir-International Convention Centre (SKICC) during the 19th convocation of University of Kashmir (KU) said, “Violence which was never part of Kashmiriyat but has become a daily reality now.”
He said, “It was most unfortunate that the outstanding tradition of peaceful coexistence was broken but now, there is a new beginning to regain this land's lost glory.”
Kovind congratulated the young students of the KU who are being conferred with the degrees in this convocation.
“I have been told that nearly three lakh students are receiving degrees today and I am impressed by the number with more than 2.5 lakh bachelors and more than one thousand doctorates, the university has made remarkable progress,” he said.
Kovind also said that the quest for learning and faith in knowledge among the students of Kashmir is really inspiring.
“Equally inspiring is the success of female students, just about half of the students who are receiving their degrees are Women and when it comes to gold medals, I was told that 70 percent of the winners are women,” he said.
Kovind said, “It is not only a matter of satisfaction but also pride for all of us that our daughters are ready to perform at the same level as our sons and sometimes even better.”
He said that building human resources and infrastructure was the stepping stones to the higher idea.
Kovind also said that he was told that the KU has the distinction of being one of few in India with a dedicated centre for interdisciplinary research and innovations that will encourage young scientists for various fellowships across varied disciplines.
“Above all, I am glad to know that KU has responded to the Pandemic in a most praised worthy manner,” he said.
Speaking about the aftermath of Covid-19, Kovind said, “The entire world has been facing difficult times. The virus has affected all walks of life and education is no exception.”
“Fortunately, technology provided solutions. All schools, Colleges and Universities across India have continued to provide education in the online mode. After the outbreak of Covid last year, the KU immediately shifted the academics to online modules and made each resource available to its students.”
“Moreover, KU also supported the administration by providing quarantine facilities at its main, north and south campuses. It shows how the contribution of the university towards society can go beyond imparting education,” he said.
Kovind said, “Democracy, I firmly believe, has within it a capacity to reconcile all differences and also a capacity to bring out the best of citizens' potential. Kashmir, happily, is already realizing this vision.”
He further said, “The youth and the women especially have high stakes in it and I am sure that they will not let go of this opportunity to rebuild Kashmir.”
Kovind said that in September last year during the consultation of NEP, he had spoken about his dream.
“I wish to see Kashmir as paradise on earth. Kashmir is bound to acquire its rightful place as the crowning glory of India,” Kovind said.
