A life of service through education
Opening his address, the Vice-President said Sri Sathya Sai Baba envisioned an education that makes service a way of life, not merely an obligation. He praised SSSIHL’s focus on character formation, the emblematic Sarva Dharma Stupa, and the institute’s enduring commitment to respect for all faiths.
“The cultivation of human values alone is true education,” he quoted Sri Sathya Sai Baba, underscoring that technical competence without values is incomplete.
Shri Radhakrishnan described India as standing on the threshold of “unprecedented progress,” positioning itself as a global hub for innovation, sustainable development and peace. He attributed this momentum to recent reforms and investments in higher education, including the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Vice-President commended the push for multidisciplinary research, stronger faculty development, modern infrastructure and digital adoption across campuses — elements he said are essential for India to lead in knowledge creation.
Master emerging technologies – remain rooted in values
Highlighting the need for future-ready skills, Shri Radhakrishnan urged the graduates to master Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, Machine Learning and other emerging technologies. Simultaneously, he reminded them to remain anchored to India’s cultural ethos and the moral compass taught at institutions like SSSIHL.
He warned that economic power must be coupled with compassion, citing India’s vaccine diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of leadership with empathy.
Call to the youth: say no to drugs, say yes to service
The Vice-President appealed directly to the youth to resist drug addiction and instead become ambassadors of Bharat’s spiritual traditions, discipline and service. He urged graduates to support the national mission of Viksit Bharat @2047 and to channel their talents toward inclusive development.
Leaders and laureates at the convocation
The convocation saw the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, State Minister Shri Nara Lokesh, Chancellor of SSSIHL Shri K. Chakravarthi, along with faculty, students and family members. The Vice-President lauded SSSIHL’s blend of academic rigour and character education as a model for higher education institutions nationwide.
For the official release from the Press Information Bureau, see the PIB statement. More information about SSSIHL’s programmes and mission is available on the university’s official site.