Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Monday called for perseverance and determination among students and said nothing is impossible to achieve in their lives if they make sustained efforts.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam, Radhakrishnan observed that failures often provide greater lessons than successes. He called on the students to be persistent in achieving their goals.
“You (students) are the future stars of this nation, you are the future of this nation. Fixit Bharat competition was only possible due to your efforts and contributions… I wish you all the success in your career and future endeavours,” Radhakrishnan said.
The Vice Chancellor said that Andhra University has emerged as a leading institution in the field of education and has produced many dedicated students in various fields, including science, technology and even politics.
He expressed his hope that the university would grow into an academic center with a good reputation worldwide. He also praised teachers for their role in shaping students into capable individuals and contributing to nation building.
Radhakrishnan praised the Andhra Pradesh government for its development initiatives, especially welcoming the efforts to bring global technology major Google to Visakhapatnam. He said the state government has declared Amaravati as the permanent capital, which is a step towards stable and long-term development.
Stating that achieving FEXIT Andhra Pradesh by 2047 was largely possible through the Sustainable Development Agenda, the Vice President noted that the state had attracted nearly 25% of the total investments coming into India over the past year, attributing this to transparency and ease of doing business.
The Vice President expressed confidence that Visakhapatnam will emerge as a global destination in the coming years.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described Andhra University’s centenary celebrations as a historic event which will be followed by another historic moment for the setting up of a major data center by Google, the foundation stone of which will be laid on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister said that Andhra University has linked Visakhapatnam with the world for a long time, noting that students from 57 countries are currently studying at the institution. He described the city as an “unstoppable global city” and stressed that Ajman University acts as a guiding institution among the state’s 53 universities.
He noted the contributions of historical patrons such as the Vizianagaram, Petthapuram and Bobbili royal families and lauded the first vice-chancellor of the university, Katamanshi Ramalinga Reddy, for laying a strong foundation.
He also referred to former President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who served as the second vice-chancellor of the university.
Naidu stressed that universities must evolve beyond degree-granting institutions into centers of innovation, entrepreneurship and societal transformation. He urged the students to focus on knowledge, innovation and startups, and encouraged them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He also revealed that Andhra University has entered into memorandums of understanding with the University of Florida and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology to enhance academic cooperation.
Setting an ambitious target, Naidu said the university should aim to be among the top five institutions in India and among the top 100 institutions globally. The proposed allocation was announced for $500 crore to support this vision and invited contributions from alumni and industry leaders to build a collective fund.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who attended the celebrations, highlighted the role of discipline and self-confidence in achieving success. Reflecting on his own journey, he noted that constant practice and dedication helped him overcome challenges.
“Doubts are natural when striving to achieve goals, but confidence is the most powerful tool in any field,” Tendulkar said, urging the students to remain focused and committed.
Former Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and famous film director SS Rajamouli were among the other dignitaries who attended the occasion.
