Union Minister Nitin Gadkari delivered a compelling message on the imperative role of research and innovation in tribal, rural, and agricultural sectors to foster the prosperity of India's villages. Speaking at the second convocation ceremony of the Mahatma Gandhi Mission University in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Gadkari underscored the critical need for transformative initiatives in these areas.
As he addressed the audience, Gadkari highlighted India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing economies. He emphasized the ambitious vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who aims to elevate India into a USD 5 trillion economy. Achieving this goal, Gadkari stressed, necessitates a strong focus on research and innovation with a direct emphasis on tribal, rural, and agriculture-centric developments.
Historically, a significant portion of India's population resided in villages, constituting as much as 90% of the total populace. Over time, this figure has decreased to 65%, but the migration from villages to urban centers, Gadkari noted, has been primarily driven by challenges and difficulties in rural areas.
Gadkari highlighted that despite India's abundant resources, certain disparities persist. He cited examples of how, despite having affordable cotton, clothing remains expensive, and despite the low prices of oranges and tomatoes, their juices command a high cost. To address this, he stressed the importance of diversifying agriculture into the energy sector, particularly through biomass. By harnessing biomass, the country can generate ethanol, bio-CNG, and LNG from agricultural waste, thereby reducing its reliance on costly fossil fuel imports, which currently amount to a staggering Rs 16 lakh crore.
The transformative potential of involving farmers in energy production is profound, with the ability to contribute energy worth Rs 10 lakh crore. Such an approach, Gadkari asserted, has the power to rejuvenate villages, attract individuals back to their roots, and promote sustainable rural development.
Gadkari urged students to adopt a long-term perspective and focus on becoming job creators rather than job seekers. He emphasized that learning is a lifelong pursuit and that valuable knowledge can be acquired from diverse sources. He underscored that many successful individuals who have made significant contributions to society did not necessarily follow traditional educational paths.
During the convocation event, the university posthumously honored the late poet Vamandada Kardak with a D Litt for his enduring work and writings dedicated to the cause of social equality. In addition to Nitin Gadkari, the ceremony saw the presence of University Chancellor Ankushrao Kadam, Vice-Chancellor Vilas Sapkal, and former Education Minister Kamalkishor Kadam.
