Is Developed Nation Status Our Destination? VP Dhankhar Speaks at Sherwood College in Nainital

New Delhi, June 27 (NationPress) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar delivered a compelling speech at the esteemed Sherwood College in Nainital on Friday, urging students to cherish their rich heritage while embracing the fast-changing global landscape.

Sharing personal stories and national ambitions, the Vice President encouraged the youth to be catalysts for change, grounded in Indian principles yet with a global outlook.

In front of students, faculty, and parents at the venerable 156-year-old institution, Dhankhar stated, “You are inheriting a legacy formed by legends such as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and Major Somnath Sharma, but this legacy is now your responsibility. It’s your duty to set new standards.”

The Vice President, who attended Sainik School Chittorgarh, recounted his journey from a rural village lacking roads and electricity to holding one of the highest offices in India. He emphasized that education is “the great equalizer” and highlighted that Sherwood students are “privileged within a nation of 1.4 billion” to receive such high-quality education.

“I come from Sainik School, Chittorgarh. In 1962, when I enrolled, my village didn’t have electricity, road access, or even a toilet. Figuratively speaking, I transitioned from darkness to light in Chittorgarh,” the Vice President remarked.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he described education as “the manifestation of the perfection already within man,” and encouraged students to aspire to goals beyond themselves, aligned with service to society and the nation.

Discussing the pressing issue of climate change, which has gained global attention, the Vice President said, “Look around Nainital. What a magnificent place! It attracts numerous visitors. However, we must acknowledge the delicate Himalayan ecology we are confronting. Climate change is a ticking time bomb, and we are hanging by a thread. We have no alternative planet to inhabit.”

“That’s why the Prime Minister of India issued a clarion call: ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.’ I was pleased to commemorate it for both my parents, but I implore each one of you, students across the nation, and especially principals, to take action,” he added.

Reflecting on India’s economic ascent, he emphasized the nation’s evolution over the past decade, asserting, “India is no longer merely a country of potential; it is emerging as a global power. Achieving developed nation status is not just a dream; it is our ultimate goal.”

“In two to three years, we will become the third-largest global economy, having navigated considerable challenges and emerged from a double-digit economy to this elevated status,” he stated.

Encouraging students to embrace failures, the Vice President asserted, “Fear of failure is a myth. Failure should not be viewed in the traditional sense by parents and teachers. Some educators might think low marks signify failure. No, failure is merely a temporary setback on your path to success.”

“Whenever you contemplate failure, think of Chandrayaan 2,” he concluded.