 Our nation and civilization have always been centered around knowledge. Some of the ancient universities, such as Nalanda and Taksasthila, are well known. Similarly, there are references of places like Kanchipuram housing, great universities, Gangai Kancholpuram and Madurai were also great seeds of learning. People from across the world used to come to these places, Enad, Mahalau Kodumbabai. Similarly, even the concept of Convocation is very ancient and well known to us. For example, take the ancient Tamil Sangham meeting of poets and intellectuals. In Sangham, poetry and literature were presented for the analysis of others. This is the same logic used in academia and higher education even today. So my young friends, you are a part of a great historical tradition of knowledge. Enad, Mahalau Kodumbabai, universities play a crucial role in giving direction to any nation. When our universities were vibrant, our nation and civilization were vibrant too. When our nation was attacked, our knowledge system was targeted immediately. In the early part of the 20th century, people like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Madan Mohan Malavya and Sir Annamalai Chetya started universities. These were hubs of knowledge and nationalism during the freedom struggle. Similarly, one of the factors behind the rise of India today is the rise of our universities. India is setting records in economic growth at the first fastest growing major economy. At the same time, our universities are also entering global rankings in record numbers.