Chennai, September 15: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday urged graduating students to remain humble, embrace technological advancements and shoulder greater responsibility towards the nation, saying education is the only asset that remains with a person throughout life.
Addressing more than 3,500 graduating students and doctorate recipients at the 36th convocation of Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute University at Velappanchavadi here, Sitharaman said graduation should not be viewed as the end of education but as the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.
Quoting the Thirukkural, she said material wealth could be lost during difficult times, but education remains an enduring companion.
“Even if we amass various forms of wealth or money, it can be lost. All of that can be taken away. But there is one asset alone that will never leave us, and that is education. We must especially realise and appreciate this,” she said.
In a post on X, the Finance Minister also stressed that learning about life begins beyond the classroom.
“Graduation ceremony is not just about completing studies and moving on to the next stage; it marks the beginning of a lifelong learning journey. While college education is one form of learning, we must not forget that the true learning about life begins only after that,” she said.
Sitharaman also highlighted India's economic resilience amid continuing global uncertainties, saying the country has maintained stability while recording a 7.8 per cent growth rate.
She attributed the resilience to strong leadership and sound economic policies, saying the government has worked to protect citizens from the impact of global disruptions while maintaining the country's growth momentum.
“Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi has ensured stability in the country, having assumed office for a third term with the people's mandate. Graduating students should bear this in mind,” she said.
The Finance Minister said the current global environment was marked by multiple geopolitical conflicts and tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Iran conflict and tensions involving Iran, the United States and Gulf countries.
She pointed out that India depends on some of the affected regions for critical imports such as crude oil and agricultural fertilisers. Despite these challenges, she said, India has emerged as a centre of stability while continuing to grow at 7.8 per cent.
“When I visited North America two weeks ago, this was the very topic that other nations inquired about. They expressed astonishment at how India — a highly populous nation — achieved a 7.8 per cent growth rate at a time when the rest of the world is struggling,” Sitharaman said.
Calling upon graduates to combine knowledge with humility, Sitharaman invoked the example of renowned scientist Sir Isaac Newton, who acknowledged the contribution of fellow scholars to his achievements.
“A brilliant scholar like Newton acknowledged that he required the assistance of various other scholars to achieve his success; he stated that it was through this collaboration that he was able to make his various discoveries. He expressed this with great humility,” she said.
She urged students to cultivate the same sense of intellectual modesty and responsibility as they enter their professional lives.
The Finance Minister also highlighted India's expanding industrial and technology ecosystem, referring to industrial hubs such as Sriperumbudur and Tamil Nadu's more than 350 Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
She asked the graduates to recognise the sacrifices made by their parents and the efforts of university administrators and faculty members in helping them reach the milestone.
Sitharaman advised the young graduates to avoid impulsive decisions, make thoughtful choices and become responsible leaders in their respective fields. She also encouraged them to embrace emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, while ensuring that technological progress is guided by sound judgment and responsibility.
She emphasised that the youth have an important role to play in India's growth story and urged them to carry their knowledge forward with dedication, humility and a strong commitment to national interests.
At the convocation, more than 3,500 students received degrees, including 26 PhD recipients. Seventeen students were also presented with excellence awards.
Reflecting on the scale of the event, Sitharaman acknowledged the considerable effort required to organise such a large university convocation and joked that students were often eager to see the formal proceedings conclude.
She said organising an institution and managing a university require substantial effort, noting that large gatherings such as convocations involve the collective work of several departments and stakeholders.
