Give it back to society, students told at Sanjay Ghodawat University convocation ceremony

Sanjay Ghodawat University (SGU) conferred an Honoris Causa Doctor of Science Degree on Tessy Thomas, the first Indian woman to lead a missile project, at its third convocation ceremony on March 2.

A short film on social worker Padmashri Prakash Amte and his wife, Mandakini Amte, who have dedicated their lives to the medical treatment of tribal communities and wildlife in Gadchiroli, was also screened on the occasion. The couple were the chief guests at the programme held on the Kolhapur campus.

Prakash Amte spoke about his father, Baba Amte, and how he was moved by the plight of the tribal people and wanted to help them. He highlighted how they began with no expectations, but the love and support they received from society was overwhelming. He reminded the graduates to never lose sight of the importance of using their degree to benefit society and contribution through social service.

DRDO scientist Tessy Thomas, in her address, urged the students to prepare themselves for the 21^st Century challenges of the world.

Sanjay Ghodawat, the president of SGU, congratulated all degree holders and underlined the significance of being grounded while striving for the stars. He also spoke about being ethical in transactions to be truly successful. “Success is measured not by how much money you have, but by how much you can offer to society,” he said.

More than 750 students from Technology, Management, Commerce, Liberal Arts, Architecture, Science, Pharmacy and other disciplines received their graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral degrees at the convocation ceremony.