Udhagamandalam (Tamil Nadu), Apr 25 (UNI) 'Terrorism is a global menace", Vice President
Jagdeep Dhankhar observed on Friday.
Condemning the Pahalgam terror attack on innocent tourists that claimed 26 lives in strongest
terms, Mr Dhankar said this incident in J andK reminds that Terrorism is a global menace.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors
of State, Central and Private Universities of Tamil Nadu at the Ooty Raj Bhavan convened by
Governor R N Ravi, the Vice-President expressed his solidarity with the families of the victims
and also observed a two-minute silence to mourn the death of innocent tourists.
“I join the nation in expressing profound grief and outrage at the heinous attack in Pahalgam
that claimed innocent lives. It is a reminder that terrorism is a global menace,” Mr Dhankhar
said
India’s peace-loving nature, coupled with the strength of its leadership, will ensure the country
continues to rise despite internal or external threats.
He also recalled the stringent diplomatic measures taken by the Indian government following
the terror attack, including suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the
integrated Attari-Wagah Check Post, suspension of visa services for Pakistanis and
declaring Pakistan High Commission officials as persona non grata.
These tough measures reaffirms India’s strong response to terrorism and its commitment to
safeguard the national security.
Commending the Governor for doing this as his constitutional ordainment, he said Mr Ravi
has taken oath under Article 159 of the Indian Constitution.
The oath he has taken as Governor is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and
the law.
By his oath, he is further enjoined to devote to the service and well-being of people of Tamil
Nadu.
By organising such events, which are extremely relevant to the field of education, Mr Ravi is
vindicating his oath, Mr Dhankar said.
The Vice-President's remarks hailing the Governor comes in the backdrop of protests
staged by alliance parties of the ruling DMK, including the Congress in the Nilgiris district
and the Left Parties in Chennai for holding the VCs meet as a counter to the one held
by Chief Minister M K Stalin after the Apex Court strongly indicted the Governor over the
delay in granting assent to the Bills,that included those stripping him from post of
Chancellor of State-run varsities and vesting with the Chief Minister with powers to
appoint VCs.
Stating that Tamil Nadu has been home to such widely accoladed learning centres like
Kanchipuram and Ennayiram, which must be considered our North Star, Mr Dhankar
said "We must take pride that it was in Tamil Nadu, that the Madras University was
established in 1857. Modern education was exemplified in this land!"
"In these conferences, I see the emergence of crucibles of ideation that will rekindle the
spirit of Kanchipuram and bring back glory of Ennayiram", he said.
"We must foster campuses where intellectual risk is encouraged. A failure is a myth: it is
a stepping stone to success.", he said, adding, "We must believe in discovery and innovation."
"We are well past the era of standalone institutions. There is now need of convergence for
various verticals to give institutions the cutting edge", Mr Dhankar said.
Observing that Multi-disciplinary approach across academic pursuits is the only answer, he
told the VCs to share their faculty talent virtually, technologically and otherwise.
"The winds of innovation and change must have free passage in educational institutions. There
has to be tolerance for varying ideas. Intolerance to a thought defines democracy the wrong way",
he noted.
The nectar of university is that a solo voice that has an opinion different from that of the majority
is heard with deference by engaging in dialogue and discourse, not by being judgmental, he said.
UNI GV 1635