This is an archive article published on June 7, 2024
Voters ‘gave a message to all, right from top to bottom’: Venkaiah Naidu
Naidu was addressing the graduating students of Institute of Rural Management, Anand as the Chief Guest of its 43rd convocation at the National Dairy Development Board Campus.
3 min readAhmedabadUpdated: Jun 8, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Remembering IRMA founder chairman Dr Verghese Kurien who is also the brain behind the White Revolution, Naidu said he had a profound impact on the nation. (Express Photo)
Former Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said Friday that millions who voted in the Lok Sabha elections “gave a message to all, right from the top to bottom”.
Addressing graduating students of the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) as chief guest at its 43rd convocation, Naidu said, “We have seen that India proved to be a great democracy in the recent election. Millions of people voted peacefully. Whatever change they wanted to make, they have brought it peacefully. They gave a message to all, right from the top to bottom. There is a message in the election, and I hope that people understand the message.”
“Political parties, at times, may win or lose – that is not the issue. The values, work for the downtrodden, taking care of the oppressed, suppressed and depressed people, Gandhiji’s Antyodaya, Ambedkarji’s Antyodaya – taking care of the poorest of the poor – that should be top of our mind,” he said.
Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu said, “He is not only popular in India, but also across the globe. Coming back for the third time is not a joke in India. I don’t want to get into politics but… the world started recognising and respecting India. In recent years, because of the knowledge and hard work of Indians across the world, many CEOs of multinational companies are Indians.”
On the challenges for the new government, he said, “While we are able to reduce corruption, undoubtedly under the present regime we are able to reduce poverty levels, but we still have challenges. We must all work together to face these challenges and see to the eradication of poverty, ending urban-rural divide, curbing social evils which are really bringing a bad name to us, and reducing tensions… That is not possible merely by the Prime Minister or by the Chief Minister. That is possible if everybody develops a positive and constructive mind.”
Naidu said there is an urgent need to see what he called the “four Cs” in politicians – character, calibre, capacity and conduct. “Nowadays you see some political parties replacing these four Cs by another four Cs: caste, community, cash and criminality. They may gain temporarily, but that is not going to last for long,” he said.
Ritu Sharma is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express' Gujarat bureau, an editorial position that reflects her experience and Authority in regional journalism. With over a decade of concentrated reporting experience, she is a highly Trustworthy and specialized journalist, especially noted for her Expertise in the education sector across Gujarat and previously Chandigarh.
Expertise
Primary Authority (Education): With over ten years of dedicated reporting on education in both Gujarat and Chandigarh, Ritu Sharma is a foremost authority on educational policy, institutional governance, and ground realities from "KG to PG." Her coverage includes:
Higher Education: In-depth scrutiny of top institutions like IIM-Ahmedabad (controversies over demolition/restoration of heritage architecture), IIT-Bombay (caste discrimination issues), and new initiatives like international branch campuses in GIFT City.
Schooling & Policy: Detailed coverage of government schemes (Gyan Sadhana School Voucher Scheme), the implementation and impact of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, teacher recruitment issues, and the impact of national policies like the NEP.
Student Welfare: Reporting on critical issues such as suicide allegations due to caste discrimination, and the challenges faced by students (e.g., non-delivery of NAMO tablets). ... Read More
