CJI Surya Kant urges youth to cultivate strong character, acquire knowledge
Bhiwani (PTI): Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said the future of India rests in the hands of today's students and youth, urging them to cultivate strong character, acquire knowledge and become responsible citizens to help the country scale new heights.
Addressing the 5th convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, CJI Kant said academic degrees alone do not define success. He said it is achieved through discipline, diligence, optimal use of time and a continuous willingness to learn.
Emphasising the broader purpose of education, Justice Surya Kant said it should strengthen character, self-confidence and moral values rather than just ensuring employment.
Students' success should not be gauged solely by examination results; rather, one must observe the kind of citizens they have evolved into during the educational process, he remarked, adding that qualities such as integrity, sensitivity and a spirit of service are equally important as knowledge.
"Many young students describe their degree as a ticket to employment, to status, to a better life. And perhaps rightfully so. But tickets are useful only so far as it takes you from one place to another, because once that's done, their utility ceases to exist.
"If your degree were merely a ticket, its value would peak the moment you handed it to an employer but it would diminish with every passing year thereafter, which certainly cannot be the desired outcome.
"So, allow me to state very briefly what I believe it truly represents: your degree is worth precisely as much as the habits of mind it has formed in you: no more, and no less. The information you memorised will be superseded. The frameworks you studied will evolve. But the discipline of rigorous thought, the instinct for honest inquiry, the capacity to keep learning when no one is asking you to, those do not expire," he told the students.
Referring to the legacy of former Haryana chief minister late Bansi Lal, after whom the university is named, Justice Surya Kant said his life exemplified dedication, foresight and commitment to public service - values students should strive to emulate.
"This university bears the name of a son of this soil who rose from humble beginnings in a small village in the Bhiwani district to leave an indelible mark on the national canvas. Chaudhary Bansi Lal's life was a testament to what disciplined ambition can achieve when it is combined with unwavering commitment to public service.
"Small wonder then, that this university carries his name; it carries his spirit as well: a spirit of hard work, accountability, and service to society. I hope that spirit has been absorbed by each one of you during your blooming years on this campus," he said.
The CJI said he must admit that one of the reasons why he accepted to be here was "to pay tribute to Chaudhary Bansi Lal".
"I have fond memories of him back when he reposed his faith in me and offered me the post of additional advocate general, that too when I was just 32-33 years old. That kind of confidence placed in a young lawyer is not something one easily forgets. I have been, in that way, fortunate enough," he said.
He told the students that he was mentioning this "because as you step out from this institution that bears his name, you must be clear about two things: the true weight of what your degree places in your hands today and the wisdom of staying rooted in where you came from, even as you grow into where you are going".
The ceremony was presided over by Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, who urged the students to uphold strong moral values in every sphere of life, asserting that character and integrity constitute the true yardstick of success.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mamata alleges BJP disrupted her Bhabanipur rally, Suvendu claims 'she's nervous'
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
