Mangalore: 'Role of youth important in India's stage of transition'
Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje
DHNS
 
Mangalore, Apr 5: "The young citizens of India, best endowed with human capital, have the enviable opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India’s transition from a low-income country to a middle income country,” opined Chairperson of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations Dr Isher Judge Ahluwalia.

Delivering the convocation address at the 33rd Convocation of Manipal University here on Saturday, she brushed away the possible fears that recessionary conditions have put a damper on the job market all over the world.

 
She informed that India has been one of the fastest growing economies of the world in the last 25 years and the turn of the century saw a growth rate close to 8 per cent and an increase in per capita income at a rate of 6 per cent per annum. India is currently in a state of transition, in which the youth has a major role to play. Their role is to grapple with some of the challenges that the country faces during the stage of transitions, to enable it to realise its true potential. The first is to bridge the gaps of infrastructure, skills and other elements of the investment climate which were coming in the way of sustained high growth even before the economic slowdown started. An equally important challenge is to ensure that the benefits of growth process reach every section of the society, not merely those who are fortunate enough to attend premier institutions. These challenges have to be dealt with during the recession period, so that we can focus on better things once the trend turns, Dr Ahluwalia added.
 
She, along with Chancellor of the University Dr Ramdas M Pai gave away the graduation certificates and gold medals to the outgoing students from all the institutions under the university in its Mangalore and Manipal campuses. The head of the institutions presented the graduates and administered oath to them.
 
Earlier, Vice Chancellor Dr Raj P Warrier gave an overview of the university and the facilities offered. Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal, Pro-vice Chancellor Dr S S Pabla, Registrar (International programmes) Dr Vinod Bhat, Registrar Dr G K Prabhu, Registrar (Evaluation) Dr Narayan Rao, Director (Student affairs) Dr Pushpa Kini, Heads of various institutions and others were present on the occasion.