Embrace Originality, Curiosity as Guiding Principles in Life: Prez Murmu to Students

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday addressed the 10th convocation of the Central University of Punjab (CUP) and the first convocation of AIIMS Bathinda. Speaking to the graduating students, she encouraged them to follow curiosity, originality, morality, farsightedness, and spontaneity as guiding values in their lives. She also cited the work of Prof. Raj Kumar from CUP, who received the Visitor’s Award for his pioneering cancer research, as an example of creativity and innovative thinking.

During the ceremony, the university awarded 1,091 postgraduate and PhD degrees, honoured meritorious students with 43 gold medals, and presented five Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degrees to distinguished personalities.

The honorary recipients included:

- Padma Bhushan Prof. Sardara Singh Johl, leading agricultural economist

- Padma Bhushan Anupam Kher, noted actor

- Padma Bhushan (Dr.) Bibek Debroy (posthumously), economist

- Phunchok Stobdan, respected Buddhist scholar

- Prof. Karam Tej Singh Sarao, academician known for contributions to Indian education

The President acknowledged CUP’s focus on diaspora and migration studies and highlighted the increasing presence of women in higher education. She noted that 65% of the gold medals this year were awarded to female students. Urging graduates to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat, she reminded them to use their knowledge and skills for the country’s advancement.

According to the university, President Murmu also presented gold medals to nine outstanding students.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who was present at the event, emphasized the strong participation of women in postgraduate and doctoral programmes. He expressed confidence that CUP would continue to achieve excellence and strengthen Punjab’s role as an education hub. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari shared the university’s progress in research, innovation, and implementation of the National Education Policy. Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian was also in attendance.

Later at AIIMS Bathinda, President Murmu spoke about the institution’s role in offering affordable and high-quality healthcare to citizens and providing advanced research and education opportunities to students. She said that the many AIIMS established across India aim to deliver accessible tertiary healthcare while remaining leaders in medical research and innovation. She encouraged all stakeholders of AIIMS Bathinda to develop it into a regional centre of medical excellence.

The AIIMS administration reported that 9 gold medals were awarded for academic brilliance this year, along with 49 degrees for MBBS graduates and additional degrees in MD, MS, and MDS programmes, including 6 gold medals and 36 degrees in those categories.