Synthesis modern scientific thought with India’s past wisdom: Dr Padma Subrahmanyam
Addressing IIT Hyderabad's 15th convocation, Padma Vibhushan Dr Padma Subrahmanyam said science and arts are the two eyes of the nation and urged graduates to combine modern scientific thinking with India's ancient wisdom to build a better future
Sangareddy: Bharatanatyam exponent and Padma Vibhushan Dr Padma Subrahmanyam said that science and arts are the two eyes of the country. Addressing the 15th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) on Saturday, Dr Padma Subrahmanyam said science protects physical well-being, while arts awaken the intangible divinity within human beings. She defined education as Vidya, which liberates one.
The Bharatanatyam exponent said modern technology must draw inspiration from ancient wisdom. Terming the graduating students of IIT-H as the crème de la crème of their generation, she expressed hope that they would synthesise modern scientific thought with the invaluable wisdom of India’s past to create a better future for humanity.
Chairman of the Board of Governors Dr BVR Mohan Reddy, Chairman of the Senate Prof Chennupati Jagadish, Director of IIT-H Prof BS Murty, deans and heads of various departments presented medals to meritorious students and certificates to 1,398 students. The graduating class comprised 489 BTech, 528 MTech, 191 PhD, 111 MSc, 40 MDes, 18 BDes, 11 MA, 6 MS and four Diploma in Engineering Science graduates, reflecting IIT Hyderabad’s continued academic growth and strong emphasis on advanced research and postgraduate education.
The convocation also recognised outstanding academic achievement through the presentation of five gold medals and 44 silver medals. The President of India Gold Medal for the highest overall CGPA in BTech was awarded to Bonthu Mani Hemanth Reddy (CSE). Institute Gold Medals were presented to Safa Fathima Rafeek for excellence in academics and co-curricular activities (UG), Manisha Thangadurai for the highest CGPA in MSc/MA, Siddharth Agrawal for the highest CGPA in MTech/MDes, and Guna Sekhar Reddy Panaganti for excellence in academics and co-curricular activities (PG). The students attended the convocation ceremony in handwoven Pochampally sarees. There were emotional scenes as parents and family members of the graduating students witnessed the convocation ceremony.
