From Narendra Modi’s speech at IIMA convocation 2011

Following is almost accurate(at least we tried so) verbatim of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at IIM Ahmedabad convocation ceremony 2011:

“The tradition of convocation was also present in Indian cultural heritage. For the first time it was mentioned in Titariya Upanishad. We have thousands of years old Guru-Shishya and Ashirwad’s Rushi parampara.”

“We are fortunate that we belong to the land of Bharat. On one side there are capable nations with older people, on the other side we are progressing with highest number of youths. If 21st century belongs to Asia, we the nation are enjoying a big pool of youth power. It is to see, how we convert this pool into a global workforce.”

“In India only 11% people get higher education, compare to 55% in developed nations and 22% in average Asian country. If 89% of our youths in the age group of 18-23 are not fortunate enough to get higher education, we need to address this issue in priority and take these youths in 18-23 group towards the path of knowledge if we want India to emerge on the horizons of world stage. If is therefore to think, how we can turn our education in proper direction to address this problem.”

“India will have to give weightage to knowledge based society to address global need, contrary to present approach of giving emphasize to skill based development only.”

“We are advancing towards centre for excellence. Vibrant Gujarat summit’s only one dimension was about investment. We had invited 22 universities in Vibrant summit and had organized round-table conference to know how we can fulfill global demand with our youth power.”

“While IIMs and IITs nurture and provide capable youths, how many of them contribute to policy decisions? The nation will go ahead in new direction when such talents are employed in policy making process. As we are sitting in government, we know how important policy making process is. Government’s policy affects crores of people for years and years. IIMA has done so much in the area of public policy making related education, however policy making area should be given equal importance as managerial skill education in IIMs.”

“IIM Ahmedabad is a unique model that is functioning through cordial conduct of Union, state and business community. Such cordial style of functioning should continue in future too to make this institution even more successful.”

“Lastly a message from Taitariya Upanishad: Let teachers and students get fame and success, let they get wealth and wishes, let they have dreams, and let they have capability to realize them.”