STATE TIMES NEWS
GURDASPUR: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta said India’s youth will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s destiny and realising the vision of a developed India by 2047. He was addressing the Annual Convocation Ceremony of Government College, Gurdaspur, where he awarded degrees to 247 students and conferred the Roll of Honour upon five meritorious students. Emphasising the importance of education in nation-building, Kavinder Gupta urged students to cultivate innovation, integrity and a spirit of service. He said the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” can only be achieved through active youth participation in governance, entrepreneurship, research and community development. He encouraged graduates to face challenges confidently and contribute meaningfully to society.
Describing the occasion as emotional and personally significant, the Lieutenant Governor recalled his journey as a former student of the same institution. He said returning to the college stage felt like coming home and credited his teachers, parents and the institution’s discipline for shaping his life. He remarked that transformation is not about position but about responsibility and service.
Sharing his experiences in Ladakh, he said serving in the high-altitude Union Territory is a sacred commitment to nation-building. He highlighted his tours to remote border villages, interactions with soldiers’ families and youth, and stressed that governance must be rooted in service and direct public engagement. He noted rapid development in higher education infrastructure at the University of Ladakh and appreciated the innovation-driven spirit of students at premier institutions such as Indian Institute of Management Jammu and Indian Institute of Technology Jammu. Referring to his participation in the India AI Impact Summit, Kavinder Gupta underlined the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, education, agriculture and governance, while emphasising ethical and inclusive use of technology. He encouraged graduates to equip themselves with emerging digital skills and leverage AI responsibly for societal benefit.
Later, he was conferred the Shri Laxmi Chander Vishist Sewa Rattan Award in recognition of his distinguished public service.
Raman Bahl, Halqa Incharge Gurdaspur, and Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, were present. Former Principals and senior faculty including Professor Raj Kumar Sharma, Professor G.S. Kalsi, Om Prakash, V.K. Maudgil, Kamal Kishore Atri, V.K. Singh and Professor J.S. Grover attended the ceremony. Registrar Professor Seema Mahajan and Principal Ashwani Kumar Bhalla conducted the proceedings. The event began with the Academic Procession and concluded with the National Anthem.