It is nothing but a sign of an evolving nation that Prime Ministers today aren’t Cambridge and Oxford graduates, but alumni of Gujarat University.

It makes me happy to be in the place of birth and the original battleground of the Father of the Nation. But what makes me happier still, is being amongst the young students of this University, one of whom carved his journey to being the Prime Minister of the country, setting high standards of self-reliance and national consciousness for every student. I’m happy to see that 13 out of 21 medals at today’s Convocation ceremony are being won by girl students. It is noteworthy that 85 per cent of students at Gujarat University are from other states and union territories, making the University campus a mini-India and strengthening our national unity.

It is hard to find that a single university has produced pioneering stakeholders in multiple fields and helped them reach the zenith of success. Gujarat University has single-handedly groomed the likes of the country’s Prime Minister besides Chief Justices and notable scientists.

I’m grateful to Gujarat University for nurturing alumni like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. There is always an inevitable need for University and Industry to work together, but what Gujarat University is doing is far, far more important. The University is not just creating linkages and collaborating with businesses of today but creating tomorrow’s businesses at the University itself! I really look forward to having Gujarat University’s guidance on what and how we should take this idea forward nationally.