'Politics Aside, A Mother Lost Her Son': PM Modi On Rohith Vemula's Suicide

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the convocation ceremony at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow today.

Here are the highlights:

• Babasaheb Ambedkar did a lot for the nation and he was particular about education
• Dr. Ambedkar felt that struggles could be overcome through education
• Look at Dr. Ambedkar's life. He faced several obstacles, even insults. But he had the strength and faced these obstacles
• Sometimes we read very little to understand Babasaheb. He was such an eminent and global personality. He could inspire the entire generation
• Imagine some problem in our lives, we complain first, then we wait to ask someone. Look at Babasaheb's life, he faced so many difficulties and insult
• He had no family background which could grant him education, but this personality had the light, the will. He chose his path and took on the difficulties head on
• In the US, he was the first Indian who did a PhD in Economics. He could have stayed in any country of the world
• He decided that he will struggle for the deprived exploited and down trodden, he did it for the rest of his life
• Parents put everything in getting their children educated. They will be happiest when you progress from one phase of life to another
• Dikshant Samaroh (Convocation ceremony) the tradition of this is in the Upanishads.
• Thousands of years ago, the first convocation was mentioned when students were given education in gurukuls
• Dr. Ambedkar did not live for himself. He achieved everything even then he dedicated his life to the nation, to marginalised communities
• Sources of information are many but whats essential is to pick out relevant portions that one requires
• There are so many people, some of whom you would not even be aware of, who have helped you achieve this degree
• If I have to tell you what to do and what not to do, then your education is incomplete
• Education should be holistic, and it doesn't just come through books. Everyone uses Google to research, information is power.
• Sources are so many that it is important to select the right source which will help the society and people at large
• To be able to make that selection, you will get education in colleges and teachers
• There's a whole world beyond our immediate perception, but there are many unseen and unknown people that are responsible for one's success
• The factory worker who makes papers, the poor man's son at the publishing house who doubly made sure to check facts, correct mistakes. Society has such a role to play, we often don't realise.
• Whoever we are, we aren't the sole proprietors of our destiny, it is also the society that indirectly works in the background for our future
• When I see you all youngsters I feel very happy. This century is India's century and it is India's century because of the youth of India
• Country is young and so are our dreams, resolves and people who die are also young. Youth power is priceless
• But at the same time when we hear news of our young son Rohith is compelled to commits suicide, I feel the pain of his family
• A mother lost her son. Politics aside, the fact is that we lost a son
  I can understand the pain