“We have to create an atmosphere that combats anti-national rhetoric targeting high constitutional institutions and offices. They must be nipped in the bud… Even in such difficulties and problems, when India rises, a handful of people want to distort our culture and growth,” Dhankar said.
The ceremony was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is the chancellor of the university.
Dhankar spoke highly of Adityanath, calling him a “action person”. “This state was a source of concern from the point of view of law and development, and now Uttar Pradesh has become a model of law and order.”
“This call is unique. It has a dimension of growth, trust and cultural spirit. It has stolen my heart… I thought a politician would address (the audience). No, a spiritual leader, an academician, a statesman and a far-thinking person has spoken to you,” he said, referring to the UP chief minister.
Adityanath said educational institutions should not become mere centers for distributing degrees.
“Educational institutions should be linked with industry and act as centers of innovation alongside research and development,” the Prime Minister said.
“Buddha also says to take refuge in religion. Religion is not a way of worship, but a common form of ethics, moral values and duty. Buddha’s teachings open the way for the well-being of humanity,” the Prime Minister said.
During the degree distribution ceremony, degrees were awarded to 7,914 students. They also pledged “unwavering loyalty to Sanatan culture and cultural nationalism.”
“Some are trying to degrade the country… I am suffering.”
The world is proud of India but there are some within the country who are trying to belittle it, alleged Dhankar, who called himself “The Sufferer”.
Dhankar’s statement comes soon after the controversy surrounding TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee imitating him during a protest in the Parliament complex last week. This came after more than 140 opposition MPs were suspended due to protests against the security breach in the Lok Sabha.
“We should be proud of our achievements. While the world praises us, some of us, intentionally or ignorantly, seek to degrade us. Never worry about that. I am one of the sufferers. The sufferer knows how to endure inside, facing all fronts, all insults in one direction – We are in the service of Bharat Mata,” he said, addressing a crowd of Indian Statistical Services observers.
Asking the newly appointed officers to maintain the highest levels of integrity and ethical standards, Denker said: “There will be pressure and counter-pressure. Anyone in that position, even in my position as the constitutional Chairman of the Rajya Sabha – I am the President there, I am the Vice President of this country – people have no mercy on me. Should this change my mindset? No. Should that sidetrack me? no. On the right path, we must always move forward.
Dhankar asked officers not to worry about “chronic critics.”
“There is nothing more dangerous than a learned man… who knows the truth and does not tell it,” he said. “He wants to use the ignorance of others for the sake of political justice and this is very dangerous… We cannot allow bad news for the nation to go unpunished.”
The Vice President said that presenting data truthfully is the sacred duty of census officials. “No one wants to look in the mirror, no one wants to face reality. If you start a scheme, my ears will hear ‘Sir, the scheme has been a hit, sir look at the coverage we’ve been getting.’ You are beyond that. You are not rays.” X-rays, no CT scans, not even an MRI. You are the best person who has improved MRI to say frankly and objectively that our data yields that. “Convenience is getting a call,” he said.
Denker said the officers were the architects of evidence-based policymaking and visionaries who turn numbers into meaningful insights. “You’re an antidote to particularism; you’re an antidote to experimenting the wrong way. You’re more rational and scientific in doing your job,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of statistical services, the Vice President said: “We will reimagine our on-the-ground reality as our Bharat once was. Statistics are not just about numbers; it is about deciphering the patterns and trends that guide our policy decisions. And remember, politics “Mistakes can lead to disastrous results. If there is a failure to develop a timely policy, people can fail.”
