Prayagraj: Stressing that education should shape a more humane and inclusive society, Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU) Anandiben Patel on Friday said it was unfortunate that despite becoming highly educated, society had still failed to rise above the caste system.Addressing the university’s 21st convocation, the Governor urged people to place humanity above caste and religion. Recalling the story of a poor vegetable vendor who adopted an abandoned newborn girl without caring about her caste or religion and later educated her to become an officer, she said such examples should inspire society to eliminate discrimination and treat every individual with dignity.The Governor also strongly advocated equal educational opportunities for girls, saying parents often prefer to spend more on education of sons while daughters are denied similar opportunities. Pointing towards the medal winners at the convocation, she said nearly 80% of the awardees were girls, proving that daughters perform exceptionally well when given equal opportunities.Calling for reforms in the education system, Anandiben Patel asked educational institutions to focus on skill development from an early age, saying the process of learning begins even before birth. Referring to the story of Abhimanyu from the Mahabharata, she said society praises the unborn child for acquiring knowledge in the womb but often neglects the care and well-being of pregnant women. She described women as the backbone of society and stressed that every household should ensure proper care of expectant mothers.The Governor also advocated imparting education in the mother tongue up to Class V and directed teachers to pay greater attention to improving students’ handwriting from the primary level itself. She announced that from the next academic session, the university would discontinue issuing printed degree certificates, with students receiving their degrees digitally through DigiLocker.Describing convocations as milestones that inspire young people, she said it would be the youth who would transform India into a developed nation by 2047. Instead of merely complaining about problems, she urged students to become responsible citizens and contribute solutions for nation-building.Anandiben Patel also referred to shortcomings observed across the university’s three campuses and said she had deputed officials to inspect 12 study centres so that shortcomings could be rectified. She further cautioned against the growing tendency of circulating clipped videos on social media, saying half-truths often creates unnecessary controversy.
