The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee attended the Convocation Ceremony of the 96th Degree Engineering and 24th Technical Entry Scheme courses of Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering today at Secunderabad.
Addressing the students, the President said as young technocrats, it would be their responsibility, to adapt latest developments in the field of technology for use by the defence forces by accelerating the pace of military innovation. The nation will look upon them to define and modify the way defence forces operate, by using technological advances to provide a comparative edge over our adversaries. As young technocrats, they must remember that the Indian Army has been the torch bearer of many non-military innovations. Military Technology has benefited civil society immensely and its spin-offs have contributed significantly to nation building.
The President said the history of warfare bears testimony to the decisive role of technology on the outcome of military conflicts. To maintain an edge in military capability over potential opponents, constant efforts are required to upgrade technology. Armed Forces and technology have been strategic partners, in developing and enhancing the defence capability of the nation.
Stating that their graduation is the beginning of a very challenging journey, he said they live in an era where the pace of technology transition is so fast, “that even as I speak, new concepts are being introduced, established paradigms are being re-defined and research is opening new vistas”. The change being driven by path-breaking research is both exhilarating and mesmerizing. “Your challenge would be to harness the latest defence technologies and ensure that the Indian Army benefits from these”.
Pranab said that knowledge, which is the ultimate power, is emerging as the currency of the world in the present century. “Your knowledge and enthusiasm will lead you to creative ideas and innovations, which will impact and improve the existing methods and systems. Your passion to accept and overcome challenges would empower you to achieve both national and organisational goals”.
He further said that as young technocrats, they must remember that the Indian Army has been the torch bearer of many non-military innovations. “I am very happy to note that both the Graduating courses have undertaken projects involving state-of-the-art technologies, ranging from Biometrics to Solar Power. The wide variety of projects will find use both in civil society as well as military fields. Military Technology has benefited civil society immensely and its spin-offs have contributed significantly to nation building. I was extremely happy to know that on Army Day this year, the Prime Minister gave awards for excellence to eight projects of Indian Army, of which four were from MCEME. I am certain that all of you will continue this legacy and your tryst with technology shall continue”, he added.
Lt. Gen Gurmukh Singh, Commandant, Military college of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, said that Oranab is the third President to visit the college, the first two being Dr Rajendra Prasad and Dr S Radha Krishnan. Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan, Lt Gen PM Hariz, GOC-in-C, ARTRAC, Lt Gen KJ Singh, Direftor General of electronics and Mechanical Engineering, were among those present. Maj Gen Sanjeev Khanna supervised the entire training of DE and TES course. (NSS)