Dr Narendra Jadhav expressed immense pleasure in presiding over the function and extended heartiest congratulations to graduating engineers. He had no doubt that those who are graduating today will add further luster to the illustrious record of IETE which enjoys enviable reputation for academic excellence and course curriculam, and to the  reputation of the earlier students, known for their skill and sagacity.

Dr. Jadhav pointed out that for the graduating students this was not completion of the process but the beginning of a challenging journey to the ever expanding frontiers of knowledge. Established paradigms are being redefined and the students should be professional in the knowledge era. He took note of spectacular growth of IETE since its inception in 1953 and on the lighter side noted that that also happens to be the year of his birth.

The Chief Guest was all praise for IETE courses, as they not only meet the need for expanding the National industrial and R&D base, but also help under privileged students and children from backward and rural background, to achieve professional qualification through self learning, while having jobs for livelihood. He expressed happiness that IETE imparts computer training to visually challenged persons and various other initiatives like e-learning. The Chief Guest especially appreciated the Apex Forum on “ Distance Education through 3A’s” and also the subject of emerging trends in rural education through Internet.

Dr Jadhava briefly dwelt up on the current economic crisis. While developed countries like US., Japan and others from West Europe were the engines of growth, that had shown spectacular economic growth, since the end of second World War up to 2000-2001, had clearly started slowing down. Dr. Jadhav explained in a simple language, the subtle changes introduced in the US banking system some years ago, which have led to the current sub prime crisis and a total lack of credibility in the financial systems. He explained the current global crisis in the background of various economic developments since the end of 2nd World War and three important turning points in 1991, 2000-01 and now i.e. 2007-2008.  India and China have catapulted in this metamorphosis, in to becoming the new economic powers. As much as 36% has been contributed to the global economy by these two countries.  Dr. Jadhav said that students graduating now, when all these exciting changes are taking place all around ,can contribute to the emergence of the country’s economy in a very substantial way and share in the process of India becoming a financial super power.

He emphasized the importance of Human Resource Development and reducing digital divide as well as reducing the glowing economic imbalances and social inequities, and expressed happiness about IETE focusing on the advancement of ICT as a right step in that direction.

Dr. Jadhav then briefly described the achievement of his “Samartha Bharat Abhiyan”. He informed that as a part of 15 point programme students had already planted no less than700 thousand saplings in villages and sanitized 35 villages that were to receive “Nirmal Gram” award at the hands of Hon. President of India.

Finally Dr. Jadhav ended his address by pointing out that learning is a continuous process and self improving and development must be the key goal of students’ lives as , in this ever changing world knowledge adoption is the defining characteristic of every successful society.