Education without character-building is incomplete, Rajnath Singh tells graduates

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told graduating students that education divorced from character-building holds no worth, describing such learning as fundamentally incomplete.

Speaking at the 11th convocation of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow on Saturday, the Lucknow MP said achievements gain meaning only when anchored in values. "When education only gives a degree but does not develop character, such education has no value, it is incomplete," he said.

Ambedkar's Example

Mr. Singh invoked the social reformer after whom the university is named, recounting the discrimination B.R. Ambedkar faced as a child. "Dr. Ambedkar was not allowed to drink water from the tap from which all the children drank. Despite suffering so much injustice, instead of cursing his fate or choosing the path of violence, he chose the path of education and returned to India to inspire people to bring about change," the Minister said.

He quoted Ambedkar directly: "Character is even more important than education. If there is no humility in one's nature and no morality in one's character, an educated person is more dangerous than a violent animal".

Values and Humility

The Defence Minister urged students to develop a broad outlook and resist jealousy, arguing that personal happiness expands with one's perspective. "A pure mind belongs to one whose mind is broad. A person with a narrow mind can never have a pure mind," he said.

Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. Singh said, "No one becomes great with a small mind, and no one can stand with a broken spirit".

He told the graduates that universities function as centres of personality development, with heightened expectations for an institution bearing Ambedkar's name. "Skill and knowledge, along with values and sensitivity, are essential. Knowledge is incomplete without values and personality is incomplete without sensitivity," he said.

Using Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's metaphor, Mr. Singh compared a person without values to a zero that gains significance only when positioned after a number.

He challenged young people to dream for the nation and become job creators rather than job seekers, adding that life requires dedication and discipline. "The journey of life is long and should be taken like a spiritual discipline. The bigger the mind, the greater the happiness and joy," he said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, university Vice-Chancellor Professor Raj Kumar Mittal, and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

Source: The Hindu