Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday called upon the nation to abandon its colonial mindset and embrace Swadeshi innovation to emerge as a global leader in research and entrepreneurship.
Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, he encouraged graduating students to focus on solutions rooted in Indian knowledge, resources and needs. “We need not feel inferior. We must first throw out our colonial mindset,” he said.
He credited Narendra Modi for making India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem more vibrant and supportive, and expressed confidence that young innovators would lead the next wave of sustainable development and global leadership.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vice President said India responded decisively by developing vaccines that benefited humanity. He contrasted this with what he described as high pricing strategies in some developed nations, emphasising affordability and accessibility as key strengths of Indian innovation.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, he noted the recent approval for expansion of the Srinagar International Airport at an estimated cost of over ₹1,600 crore. He also described the Chenab Rail Bridge as a marvel of engineering and the world’s highest railway bridge, calling such projects instruments of social harmony that strengthen connectivity and national integration.
The Vice President said initiatives like the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme provide opportunities for students of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue education across the country, fostering aspiration and unity.
Advising the youth to stay away from narcotics, he urged students to live up to their parents’ expectations and build successful lives. He also cautioned against excessive use of social media, stressing the need for balance and discipline.
Concluding his address, he called for unity with the message: “Not my Kashmir, not your Kashmir — our Kashmir,” urging young people to work together for collective progress.
