PUDUCHERRY: Underlining the vital importance of maintaining friendly relations with China, Indian Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) Nirupama Rao on Saturday stressed that emotional complexes could not be a driving force in foreign policy.Delivering the 22nd annual convocation address at the Pondicherry Central University here, Rao stressed the importance of a well-calibrated relationship with China, the largest neighbour, “conscious of the enormously complex nature of our ties and, therefore, always guided by mature judgment and long range vision”.“This is not a sign of weakness as some make it out to be. Rather, it is an approach dictated by sober assessments,” she said.India’s primary focus, she said, was growth of the region as a whole and dealing with the challenges, especially terrorism and extremism in Pakistan and the difficult situation in Afghanistan, that faced the region presently.Referring to the recent public outcry against corruption, she said, “In our eagerness to seek change, we must never overturn the very edifice of our democracy,” clarifying that corruption must be fought using “lawful methods”.The fight for rights should not narrow down to one caste, sub caste or community, state, religious or linguistic group, but should be for national good, stability, progress and well being for all.Stressing on being more understanding and sensitive to the needs of the lesser privileged, she said that an emphatic no should be the answer to racial or ethnic prejudice and harassment of young girls, like those from North East and women in general.Education, she said, should not only be seen as an enabler for knowledge but also as a project that engineered thought in young minds about challenges facing the nation and help create responsible and committed citizens.16,755 Get DegreesA total of 16,755 students were conferred degrees during the convocation. This included 12,624 regular students.While 9,286 students would be receiving their Bachelor’s degree, 2,358 students would get Masters, 308 MPhil, 85 PhD, 587 add-on PG diplomas courses. As many as 185 of them have won gold medals.LG Iqbal Singh, VC J A K Tareen participated.
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