President Droupadi Murmu addressed the 10th convocation ceremony of the Central University of Tamil Nadu in Tiruvarur, praising the National Education Policy (NEP) for its innovative integration of India’s rich traditions with modern educational advancements. She emphasized that the NEP empowers students to rediscover the nation’s intellectual heritage while equipping them for the demands of the digital age.

Murmu commended the university for fostering an environment that nurtures intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, setting a high standard for academic excellence. “In India, we have great and ancient traditions that sought knowledge for the sake of knowledge,” she remarked, noting that today’s students have unprecedented access to learning resources, making it easier to engage with India’s cultural legacy.

Highlighting the transformative impact of technology, Murmu pointed to the internet revolution, Artificial Intelligence, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which have created new professions and reshaped work cultures. “Those who can adapt and learn new skills will become leaders of change,” she advised, urging students to embrace continuous learning to stay relevant in a dynamic global landscape. Drawing from her own experience as a school teacher, she cited Mahatma Gandhi as an exemplar of lifelong learning, noting his diverse pursuits, from studying languages like Tamil and Bangla to mastering skills like sandal-making and spinning the Charkha.

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Murmu also underscored the university’s role in promoting social development through initiatives like the community college and the Dr. Ambedkar Centre for Excellence, which support marginalized communities. She called for education to prioritize societal benefits and urged collaboration between academia and industry to leverage science and technology for humanity’s welfare, particularly in preserving nature and ecology.

Following the convocation, President Murmu visited the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchirappalli, where she offered prayers and fed fruits to the temple elephant, Andal. A video of her warmly engaging with onlookers after the visit gained attention on social media. Her three-day visit to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, from September 1 to 3, included attending the diamond jubilee of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in Mysuru and the 120th foundation day of City Union Bank in Chennai.

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