IITs are India's instrument of transformation, says PM Modi

MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed IITs as India's Instrument of Transformation on Saturday. "IITs have built Brand India globally over the years," he said at the 56th convocation of IIT-Bombay.
"World over, IITs are being considered as the nursery of unicorn startups... IIT graduates are at the forefront of some of the best startups in India. These are startups that are also at the forefront of solving many national problems," the Prime Minister said.
"To those working in the startup or are planning to start one after college, please do remember that the biggest corporations of today were startups yesterday," Modi said addressing the batch of 2017-18 in the packed convocation hall.A total of 2,621 degrees and 380 PhDs were awarded at the event.
He said seven lakh engineers pass out of the country's educational campuses, and a collective effort was required to ensure they get high quality of education and acquire necessary skills. "I appeal to teachers and intellectuals present here that they should think about how quality can be improved and come up with suggestions. It is our responsibility to ensure that not only quantity but quality too is of high level," he said.
Modi said innovation will be the foundation stone for making India a developed economy. "A long-term sustainable technology-led economic growth is possible on the foundation of innovation," he said. He called upon students to "innovate in India and to innovate for humanity ... From mitigating climate change to ensuring better agricultural productivity, from cleaner energy to water conservation, from combating malnutrition to effective waste management."
The PM said everyone should strive to make the country an attractive destination for innovation. He said the government cannot achieve this alone as the best ideas "come from campuses and not from government buildings or fancy offices".
On a lighter note, Modi said that IIT-Bombay students are fortunate to have lived on a campus surrounded by hills and the lake and also for sharing the campus with crocodiles and leopards occasionally. Referring to the institute's cultural festival Mood Indigo held in December every year, Modi said, "It is still August, but I am sure the mood is indigo today!"
"It would be nice if IIT-Bombay (celebrating its diamond jubilee) launches an outreach programme for schools in the vicinity. Invite small children to the campus and encourage them to undertake scientific experiments," he said. At the beginning of his speech, the PM paid tributes to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, who sacrificed his life for the nation exactly 110 years ago when he was just 18.
A few residents on the campus were unhappy with the disruption to normal life owing to the security on campus. So some residents gave the convocation event a miss.