‘Don’t forget teachers, support staff but thank them’: PM Modi’s message to students graduating from IIT Delhi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the students graduating from IIT Delhi, asking them to look back and thank their teachers and support staff as they begin a “new chapter” in life.

Participating in the 57th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, PM Modi presented the institute’s most prestigious honours, including the President’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal, and Perfect Ten Gold Medals to the meritorious students.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, “Many students have received medals for their achievements. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you. However, it would have been even better if there were a few more girls among them. Sorry. Why just one or two? There should have been more. Just as your families are feeling proud today, I, too, am proud of all of you”.

#WATCH | IIT Delhi’s 57th Convocation Ceremony | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “… You are all aware that every generation faces the specific challenges of its time and also bears its own national responsibility… Whatever you do over the next 30 to 35 years of your lives… pic.twitter.com/LwIwDSOGvb

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2026

Taking a note of anxieties among students as they step out of IIT Delhi to face the world, PM Modi asked them to “live this moment to the fullest.” He suggested that they not forget the teachers and the campus life during their journey ahead.

PM Modi said, “Today, all of you and all the students are present in this programme. But in some corner of the mind, something else might be going on. Every student will have their own picture of tomorrow in their mind. Many students might be waiting for their first salary, someone might be preparing for a new beginning in a new city, many companions might be dreaming of their new startup, someone might have set the goal of the next competitive exam. Everyone’s path is different, everyone’s dream is different. But even after all this, there is one feeling that will be the same in all of your minds”.

#WATCH | IIT Delhi’s 57th Convocation Ceremony | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “… The global strategic equation is shifting swiftly. The global power balance is evolving by the moment, driven primarily by the pace of technological advancement. No one can say with certainty… pic.twitter.com/0BkDR21VPv

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2026

“From orientation to convocation, you must be satisfied with your journey, but also excited about the start of a new chapter. That’s why I say, live this moment to the fullest. When, in the future, you have more responsibilities, these memories will take you back to the past. In these emotional moments, whenever life gives you the chance to look back, you will remember this campus life–the friends, teachers, mentors, and support staff who became your family and took on the responsibility of shaping you, as well as this place that gradually became your home–before every success of yours and will thank them. Carry them as an asset; don’t forget them. Before you leave, make sure to meet every member here,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at the 57th Convocation Ceremony. He also inaugurated Param Pragya, an AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility established at the Sonipat Campus of IIT Delhi. According to the PMO, the state-of-the-art Param Pragya facility is expected to significantly enhance the institute’s capabilities in AI, data science, advanced computing, and interdisciplinary research.

Addressing the convocation ceremony, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision has transformed India’s education ecosystem into a learner-centric, research-driven and future-ready system, with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the heart of the transformation.

#WATCH | Delhi | At the 57th Convocation Ceremony of the IIT Delhi, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi says, “Prime Minister Modi’s vision has made our education ecosystem learner-centric, research-driven, and future-ready… Prime Minister Modi has instilled new confidence in India’s… pic.twitter.com/2dIZO0ZFsa

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2026

Joshi highlighted initiatives including Academic Bank of Credits, multiple entry and multiple exit options, and APAAR, saying they provide greater flexibility to students and contribute to making higher education more learner-centric. “Prime Minister Modi-ji’s vision has made our education ecosystem learner-centric, research-driven, and future-ready. At the heart of this transformation, the National Education Policy 2020,” Joshi said.

He said the initiatives introduced under the policy were giving students greater flexibility in pursuing higher education. Joshi said Prime Minister Modi had instilled confidence in India’s educational institutions and that campuses were capable of producing not only graduates but also innovators, researchers and nation-builders.

He described IIT Delhi as a living example of this transformation and said its growing global recognition reflected not only the institute’s excellence but also the rising stature of Indian higher education globally. The Minister also highlighted the presence of young students at the convocation, describing it as a reflection of “Bharat’s Yuva Shakti”.

Joshi said they were leaving IIT not merely with a degree but with the responsibility to innovate with purpose, lead with integrity and contribute to the goal of building a Viksit Bharat. “Today, you leave IIT not only with a degree, but with a responsibility to innovate with a purpose, to lead with integrity, and to contribute to making India Viksit Bharat,” he said.

Joshi also stressed the importance of ethics and morals alongside excellence and congratulated the graduating students. “Along with excellence, ethics and morals are also important. Once again, I congratulate each one of you,” he said. (ANI)