New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) Describing nationalism as serving the poorest of the poor, the depressed and oppressed, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Saturday that educational institutions to encourage students to visit rural areas to have a first hand understanding of the problems faced by people living in villages.
'Understanding the rural India will enable them to come out with innovative solutions to the problems faced by people,' said Mr Naidu while addressing the convocation of The ICFAI University, Dehradun in Uttarakhand.
Uttrakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul, Chief Minister Trivender Singh Rawat were among the other dignitaries present on the occasion.

The Vice-President asked the students to take active part in social activities like Swachh Bharat and develop a national outlook and students should develop social consciousness.

'India has now become the sixth largest economy in the world and is an attractive destination for foreign investments. There will be enormous opportunities for the youth and the country should take full advantage of the demographic potential,' he said.

The Vice-President said that education is the single most important element in converting our young population into national assets. If the young generation of our nation is empowered, it will constitute a very strong and productive workforce to tackle the challenges like global warming, urban migration, shortage of drinking water, polluted air and fuel inefficient transportation, he added.

Expressing his concern over the decline in moral values and ethics, the Vice-President advised students to always abide by the rules. He asked the students to aim for excellence and efficiency and 'not settle for mediocrity and ordinary approach.'
'Use the knowledge and skills you acquire to go further, transform your world and the world of people around you,' he added, according to a release here.

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