Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh governor and chancellor Anandiben Patel on Thursday called for greater accountability and quality in higher education, directing universities to ensure strict evaluation of answersheets and warning that teachers found negligent in assessing examination papers should face salary deductions.Addressing the ninth convocation of Prof Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) State University, she said such a measure would ensure justice for students while making evaluators more responsible.Presiding over the convocation, where degrees were conferred on 81,822 students and 242 meritorious students were honoured with gold, silver and bronze medals for academic excellence, Patel urged students to use their knowledge and skills for nation-building.She also presented medals to meritorious students and honoured outstanding sportspersons and teachers during the ceremony held on the university campus.Expressing concern over the deteriorating handwriting of students, Patel asked universities to earmark one period exclusively for improving handwriting skills. She also urged institutions to make optimum use of their campuses and infrastructure after regular academic hours by organising skill development programmes for students from Class 10 onwards.The governor advocated greater use of digital platforms in academic administration and suggested that universities discontinue issuing hard copies of degrees, as academic records are already available through DigiLocker, enabling students to download them whenever required. She also directed universities to accord priority to students seeking degrees for higher education abroad and ensure their applications are processed without delay.Highlighting women’s achievements, Patel congratulated the university on the fact that nearly 67% of the medal winners at the convocation were female students, describing it as a reflection of growing women empowerment in higher education.She also expressed concern over the increasing number of old-age homes in the country and stressed the need to inculcate values of respect and care for parents and grandparents among the younger generation. Referring to public health, the Governor asked district administrations not only in Prayagraj and Kaushambi but across the state to ensure that all girls aged 14 years receive the cervical cancer vaccine under the government’s immunisation programme.Member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, Sachchidanand Joshi, attended the function as the chief guest, while Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay and Minister of State Rajni Tiwari were present as special guests.A total of 81,822 students received degrees, including 61,753 undergraduate and 20,129 postgraduate students. As many as 242 students from various faculties were awarded 73 gold, 82 silver and 87 bronze medals. Girls accounted for 66.53% of the medal winners. Shipra Yadav, an MSc Biology student, received the prestigious Chancellor’s Gold Medal.The university also honoured 14 sportspersons with medals and cash awards ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh for their achievements. Arm wrestler Palak, who won two gold medals, received the highest cash award of Rs 2 lakh.During the ceremony, renowned Bandhej artisan Khatri Abdul Sattar Bapu from Gujarat was conferred an honorary degree in recognition of his outstanding contribution to preserving and promoting India’s traditional textile heritage and handicrafts.Donor medals were also presented to outstanding students. Archita Tiwari of United Institute of Management received the Shri Ram Das Gulati Memorial Gold Medal, while Naitik Verma was awarded the Shrimati Ram Lubhai Gulati Memorial Gold Medal, among others.Kumbhakarna built ‘Pushpak Vimaan’, says governorGovernor Anandiben Patel referred to Kumbhakarna, the brother of the demon king Ravana in the Hindu epic Ramayana, and claimed that he had built the ‘Pushpak Vimaan’.She said that, according to traditional narratives, Kumbhakarna’s prolonged seclusion was associated with experimentation rather than sleep. The governor further called for more study on Kumbhakarna.According to mythology, after Ravan’s defeat, Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshmana used ‘Pushpak Vimaan’ to travel back to Ayodhya.Addressing the convocation of Prof Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) State University, Patel suggested that every institution named after a renowned personality should prominently display detailed information, photographs and literature about that individual to help students and visitors understand their contributions.Referring to Maharshi Bharadwaj, Patel said comprehensive information about the sage should be installed near his statue, highlighting his contributions, including references in ancient texts to his work on aviation.She stressed the importance of preserving and showcasing India’s ancient knowledge and heritage.
