PM Modi Addresses IIT Delhi Convocation with Focus on Gen Z and Viksit Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided as the chief guest at the 57th convocation ceremony of IIT Delhi on Saturday, where more than 3,000 students, including 587 PhD scholars, received their degrees. During his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that the decisions students make over the next three to four decades will influence India's journey toward becoming a 'Viksit Bharat'. He urged the graduates to ensure their decisions benefit the country and fulfill national needs.

Modi highlighted the rapid pace of technological change and the shifting global power balance, noting that technology is the primary driver of these shifts. He specifically mentioned the semiconductor sector, stating that production has begun at the first semiconductor unit and expressing his belief that everything from chips to ships will be made in India. The ceremony also included the inauguration of new AI linked initiatives at the institute.

Addressing the graduates, the Prime Minister encouraged them to maintain their curiosity and learning instincts, asserting that those who learn will win. He warned students against the comparison trap of social media, stating that life is not a leaderboard and that their real race is against themselves. He also discussed the transition from campus life to the professional world, noting that while campus life has a set syllabus, life outside requires individuals to identify and solve their own questions.

Reports on the event differed in their framing of the Prime Minister's delivery. A center leaning source focused on the Prime Minister's use of internet native lingo and Gen Z frequency, describing the mood as informal and the speech as tuned to a younger generation. In contrast, a center right leaning source framed the speech around national responsibility, the strategic importance of technology, and the overarching goal of a developed India.