Manipal : President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday arrived to Manipal University and encouraged the students to use the innovative ideas for the betterment of the society and stay away from drugs.
Delivering the convocation address at the Kasturba Medical College Greens of the University, she said that ‘Drugs destruct the students life and when students indulge themselves in this activity they go away from academic and intellectual pursuits and disturb campus life’.
She urged the students to start a drive against the drug menace and start a campaign to make students aware of the ill effects of drug consumption.
In an inspiring speech, the President reminded the students that the large youth population had a unique demographic advantage in terms of manpower availability for building the nation. “The energy of the youth and their enthusiasm must be guided into productive work,” she said.
Pointing out the responsibilities of universities she said that “Universities have a responsibility to nurture the future citizens of the country”. While she had a word of advice for the students, the president also made it clear that the education system in the country must look at the holistic development of the youth.
With a word of appreciation, she said that Manipal is one of the leading academic and education institutions in the country.  She also wished the University of Manipal a bright and prosperous future.
She emphasized on three aspects for the overall development of the youth. The first point she made was about gaining knowledge through education. “Merely learning for passing exams in not enough, you should comprehend various topics though a critical and analytical process. Quest for learning and a questioning mind, push the frontiers of knowledge, and will result in delving deep into subjects, researching and innovating”.
Being in a democratic nation, there must be willingness to listen to the other’s point of view, and to have respect for differing perceptions. The education system must strengthen adherence to secularism, inclusiveness and pluralism. These are the great values enshrined in our Constitution and developed by our civilization. These give strength and sustenance to our diverse multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual society.
Stressing on the importance of team spirit, discipline and physical fitness she stated that Sports play a vital role in developing these qualities. It will teach how to accept success and defeat.
Pointing out to the green and white revolutions in the country, she said that it was a result of a sound base of research, the scientists and researchers must look at bringing in new revolutions for enhancing productivity on a sustainable basis, she said.
Later President gave away the PhD awards to research scholars and gold medals to students on the occasion.

The gold medal awardees for 2009-10 were:

Best outgoing BE graduate (MIT) Rahul Sharan.
Best outgoing B Pharm Graduate (MCOPS) Sudha Korwar.
Best outgoing BDS graduate (MCODS,Manipal) Low Li Fong.
Highes aggregate marks in Bachelor of Hotel Management (WGSHA) Sarmishtha Revanoor.
Best outgoing BSc nursing graduate (MCON) Eby Basil.
Best outgoing BA journalism and Communications Studies graduate (MIC) Prashit Sthapit.
Best outgoing graduate student of Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences (MCOPS) Mudassir Mustafa Alloo.
Best outgoing BSc Biotechnology graduate (MLSC) Mihir Kekre.
Best outgoing BBA graduate (Manipal Institute of Jewellery Management) Spandana KN.
Best outgoing M Pharm postgraduate (MCOPS) Patel Hirenkumar Natvarlal.
Best outgoing MS communication postgraduate (Manipal Institute of Communication) Nisrin S Aziz.
Best outgoing MS information Science postgraduate (Manipal Institute of Information Science) Keerthi MS.
Best outgoing MBA postgraduate (MIM). Karishma Mehtha.