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Address by The Hon'Ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Ceremony For Conferment of Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree at University of Mauritius

The president delivered an address at the University of Mauritius on the occasion of receiving an honorary doctorate degree. She highlighted the transformative power of education and India's commitment to empowering youth through expanding access to education. She also emphasized the close ties between India and Mauritius, especially among the youth, and expressed optimism about their partnership.

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Address by The Hon'Ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Ceremony For Conferment of Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree at University of Mauritius

The president delivered an address at the University of Mauritius on the occasion of receiving an honorary doctorate degree. She highlighted the transformative power of education and India's commitment to empowering youth through expanding access to education. She also emphasized the close ties between India and Mauritius, especially among the youth, and expressed optimism about their partnership.

Uploaded by

ashish
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA

SMT. DROUPADI MURMU


AT CEREMONY FOR CONFERMENT OF HONORIS CAUSA
DOCTORATE DEGREE
AT UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

University of Mauritius: 12 March, 2024

I am delighted to begin this auspicious day that marks the National


Day of Mauritius at the esteemed University of Mauritius. On this
momentous day, I convey the best wishes of more than 1.4 billion
Indians to all my Mauritian brothers and sisters, and eagerly look
forward to joining the joyous celebrations at Champs de Mars later
today.

I feel overwhelmed by the heart-touching affection and warm


welcome I have been receiving since my arrival in Mauritius. It shows
the enduring strength of India-Mauritius relations, and the close
people-to-people ties that nurture them.

Standing among you all at the University of Mauritius today, I am


reminded that education has been a key instrument in shaping this
special relationship between our two countries, as well as the destiny
of Mauritius. In 1901, Mahatma Gandhi inspired Indian indentured
workers to educate themselves, resulting in their political and social
empowerment, that led to the transformation of Mauritius. The
subsequent visionary leadership of Mauritian leaders like Sir
Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth have built on
this rich foundation, to create a vibrant, pluralistic and prosperous
Mauritius, that inspires Africa and the world.

This power of education resonates strongly with me at a personal


level too, as education has been the single most important tool that
has had a transformative impact in my own life journey. As the first
woman from my village to receive college education, empowering the
vulnerable through education is a cause that has been close to my

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heart throughout my administrative and political career, and one that I
remain devoted to.

During my time spent teaching children at the Sri Aurobindo Integral


Education Centre in my home district of Mayurbhanj in the state of
Odisha, I saw for myself, the spark that the right kind of education can
ignite in young minds, and the far-reaching impact it can have. The
transformation is visible not only on their own lives, but that of their
families, their village and wider society as a whole. Education is what
takes us from vulnerability and deprivation, to opportunities and hope.

I also realized during my time as a teacher, that engagement with


education is in many ways, an immersive experience. In educating a
child, I was myself also continuously learning and evolving. I think all
the educators present with us here would agree, that giving and
receiving learning often go hand in hand.

I believe that Universities like this are not just ladders to the dreams
of aspirational youth; they are sites where the future of mankind is
forged. This is why I feel especially honoured to receive the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Civil Law from this prestigious University today. I
hope that it will inspire all young people, particularly young women, to
discover their unique passion and pursue their dreams. I thank the
Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, Dr. Autrey for this honour. I
am privileged to receive it from the University of Mauritius which has
since its establishment in 1965, evolved into a leading University,
offering high-quality education that responds to the needs of
Mauritius.

Excellencies, Chancellor Autrey, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Recognizing the transformative power of education and given that


half of Indian population is below the age of 25, the Government of
India has made it a priority to educate and empower youth to lead
India into ‘knowledge economy’ of tomorrow.

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I am confident that India’s forward-looking new National Education
Policy will tap into India’s demographic dividend to become a
powerhouse of innovation that enhances the well being of humanity.
In less than a decade, India has set up nearly 400 new Universities,
5300 new colleges, 75 new Institutes of National Importance, 14 new
AIIMS, 7 new IITs and 7 new IIMs, with half of the new Universities
and a majority of the new colleges located in rural areas.

In this exciting journey into the future, India looks forward to


partnering its special friends, like Mauritius. Each year, 400
Mauritians are trained in India under our Indian Technical and
Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and about 60 Mauritian
students receive scholarships to pursue higher education in India. It is
a matter of pride for us that many among them occupy high positions
in the Mauritian bureaucracy and public life today. Since 2020, more
than 500 Mauritian students have also benefited from India’s e-Vidya
Bharati and e-Arogya Bharati distance learning programmes.
Hundreds of Mauritian youth have also been reconnecting with their
Indian roots by visiting India under the Know India Programme, and
several other exchange programmes. I am confident that these bonds
of friendship between our youth will keep our relationship moving
upwards, as India embarks on its ‘Amrit Kaal’ journey to become a
developed nation by 2047. I urge my Mauritians friends to take
advantage of their special proximity to India, and tap into the vast
economic opportunities it offers.

India sees Mauritius as a close maritime neighbor, a cherished


partner in the Indian Ocean Region, and a key player in our Africa
outreach. Our aspiration is that Mauritius continues to progress as a
leading economy and as a voice for peace, stability and prosperity in
the strategically-important Indian Ocean Region. Considering that
robust people-to-people linkages have been the very foundation of
the special friendship between India and Mauritius, I truly believe the
future of our bilateral relationship lies in the hands of our youth. I am
optimistic that the youth of Mauritius and India will continue to deepen
this special partnership.

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I once again thank the University of Mauritius for receiving me and
honouring me today. I extend my best wishes to the Chancellor, to all
the esteemed faculty members, researchers, and students for
success in their academic endeavours. To my young friends - may
you bring glory to your alma mater and your country. May you be a
force for a better world.

Thank you!

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