Gujarat Governor and Chancellor of Birsa Munda Tribal University, Acharya Devvrat, on 20 September 2026 called upon the institution's first batch of graduates to ensure no child in their villages and localities remains outside the education system. Addressing the university's inaugural convocation in Rajpipla, Narmada district, Devvrat said earning a degree marked the start of a new phase of life that carried heightened responsibility towards society and the nation.

A Historic First Convocation

The occasion was described by the Governor as historic, with 667 students receiving degrees and 47 students awarded gold and silver medals alongside their degrees. Devvrat underscored the symbolic weight of the event: Birsa Munda Tribal University is named after the revered tribal freedom fighter, and its location in Narmada district — home to a substantial tribal population — lends it particular significance.

'Bhagwan Birsa Munda represented the pride, struggle and self-respect of the tribal community,' the Governor said, adding that establishing a university in his name in this region was no ordinary administrative decision.

Call to Connect Every Child With Schooling

Devvrat urged graduates to resolve that not a single child in their village or neighbourhood would be denied an education. 'Let us shoulder our responsibilities towards society and the nation along with our degrees,' he said, asking the youth to deploy their learning not merely for personal advancement but for broader social welfare.

He emphasised that educating even one child in a household could transform that family's entire environment, and appealed to the graduates to take small but consistent initiatives wherever they went. He also called on them to guide young people, inspire children, and work continuously to bring about positive change in their communities.

Drug-Free Lives, Natural Farming, and Values

Beyond education, the Governor urged the graduates to lead drug-free lives and spread the message of de-addiction in their communities. He asked them to make education, values, hard work, and honesty the foundation of their lives.

Highlighting the deep bond between tribal communities and nature in Narmada and surrounding areas, Devvrat encouraged graduates to promote natural farming. 'Conserving soil, water and the environment would help provide future generations with a healthy and secure life,' he said.

Government's Role and Expanding Higher Education Access

The Governor recalled the contributions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in establishing the university, calling expanded higher education access in tribal areas an important foundation for social transformation. He noted that 26 universities are currently operational under the state government, and that opportunities for tribal youth in higher education have grown considerably in recent years.

Devvrat also praised the university's campus and sports complex, expressing hope that it would produce skilled athletes as Gujarat prepares to host major sporting events, including a potential future Commonwealth Games.

The convocation marks a significant milestone for tribal higher education in Gujarat, and the broader message from the Chancellor points to an expectation that this graduating cohort will become active agents of change in one of the state's most underserved regions.