The second convocation ceremony of National Defence University, popularly known as India’s premier National Security and Police University at Arbitration, Gandhinagar, was held today under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and in the special presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. In addition to awarding 319 students of the university, certificates were also awarded to 3 firefighters.
Speaking on the occasion, The Defence Minister said in his inspiring speech addressing the students, only a safe nation can be an ideal nation. The broader meaning of security is the protection of human beings, human rights and human dignity. To fully develop the nation in the heyday of independence and bring it out of all forms of mentality of slavery – these two promises are to be fulfilled. During the 25 years of independence, the security agencies will have to come out of the slavery mentality and develop self-respect. So far, history has been taught that the country has been a slave for years, but there is a need to understand history properly and draw inspiration from it. For this, the Minister gave examples of national rulers like Chandragupta Maurya, Vikramaditya, Samudragupta, Bappa Rawal, Shivaji, Ranjit Singh, Ahom rulers, Chola kings, who protected the borders of the nation from foreign invaders for years, and urged them to develop a sense of national security.
The Union Defence Minister further said that the parameters of security are changing. Earlier, the security of the country was focused from the point of view of only two dimensions of internal and external security. The gap between internal and external security has narrowed over the last two decades. At present, with the development of new technology, the risks in it are also emerging. Due to terrorism, human trafficking, money laundering, cyber warfare, information war, etc., war can be fought sitting in any corner of the world. Therefore, new methods are being adopted to fight the challenges of keeping the country safe from enemies sitting across the border. For the protection of space, data, information, energy, mines, economy, education, etc., all the security agencies of the country and the state will have to coordinate and carry out security work.
Hitting out at countries with terror mindsets, the Defence Minister said countries that consider terrorism as their tool are well aware that India does not spare anyone without any reason and does not spare whoever hides it. Till date, India has never fought a war with any country and has not annexed or charmed it, but has inspired it.
The Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that with the passage of time, The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had resolved to prepare skilled manpower against the increasing challenges in the defense sector, the result of which is – Raksha Shakti University.
The Chief Minister further added that PM Narendra Modi has done unprecedented work in this field by connecting the three important aspects of the legal system, defence, power and forensic science labs and this university has done diploma in police science, graduate in university management, B.Tech in Cyber Security. Many such courses are increasing the security ecosystem in the country. Built with the inspiration of the Prime Minister, this university has become one such university in the country which is providing education in the defense sector as well as providing the best training. RRU centres in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are to be started soon during the current year. With the commencement of this campus, it will be very easy to study on subjects like defence and policing in North East India.
The Chief Minister added that raksha means not only uniforms, lathis, guns or security on the border, but also protecting the society in times of disaster. Greeting the students, he encouraged all the youth who are getting degrees and called upon them to protect Mother India by taking a leading part in internal security by making more youth and women aware in the society.
Bimal Patel, Vice Chancellor, National Defence University said in his valedictory address that the University is moving ahead with the goal of becoming a global leader by fulfilling the resolve of a self-secure India by 2047 in all areas related to training, research, education and security. About 10,000 persons, including security personnel of central and state armed forces, defence sector officers, have been trained by the university. Apart from this, 400 officers from 41 different countries of Africa, Asia and Europe have been trained in the institute. The National Defence University has also started public-private partnerships. He further said that the university has set an example of women empowerment by employing 35 per cent women employees. The institute is working towards collaborating to meet the requirement of 21 lakh security personnel for security by partnering with national and international private security companies. Recently, raksha shakti schools will be started soon by the Government of Gujarat, on which work is in progress. Around 1,000 youths from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are being trained and 650 youths have also been given employment, he said.
Officers of Defence Security, Registrar of National Defence University, Members of governing council, alumni and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Also Read: Watch | Explainer: Meta And The Instagram ‘Takedown’ Controversy
