PM Modi At IIT Delhi: “I Am Not Bageshwar Baba” – Students Burst Into Laughter

“Main Baba Bageshwar Nahi Hoon”: PM Modi’s Witty Reply Wins Hearts At IIT Delhi

‘I am not Baba Bageshwar, but…’: PM Modi talks salaries, start-ups and future dreams with IIT Delhi graduates

More than 3,000 IIT Delhi students graduated on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the institute’s 57th Convocation to urge them to look beyond their degrees, remember the people who shaped their years on campus and carry forward the ambition to contribute to the country.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated Param Pragya, an AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility established at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat campus. The facility is expected to expand the institute’s capacity in artificial intelligence, data science, advanced computing and interdisciplinary research.

Among those receiving degrees were 587 PhD scholars.

Addressing the graduating batch, PM Modi said the milestone was about more than academic achievement.

“You are not just taking a degree, but taking forward the dream of doing something for the country,” he said.

PM Modi asks IIT Delhi graduates to remember teachers, support staff

The Prime Minister’s address centred on the transition awaiting students after leaving IIT Delhi.

He spoke about the different choices confronting the graduating batch, from first jobs and new cities to start-ups and competitive examinations. The paths may differ, he said, but students would share memories of how their years at the institute began and ended.

“From orientation to convocation, you must be satisfied with your journey, but also excited about the start of a new chapter. That’s why I say, live this moment to the fullest,” PM Modi said.

He asked the students not to leave behind the relationships built during their time at the institute.

“When, in the future, you have more responsibilities, these memories will take you back to the past,” he said.

PM Modi told the graduates that friends, teachers, mentors and support staff had become part of their lives during their years on campus.

“Carry them as an asset; don’t forget them. Before you leave, make sure to meet every member here,” he said.

In another exchange with the students, PM Modi referred to the uncertainty and anticipation surrounding their next move.

“All of you are gathered here today, but there must be something going on in your hearts. Now, I am not Baba Bageshwar, but there must be something going on. Some must be thinking of their future, some about their salaries, some must be preparing for a new start in a new city, some must be thinking of start-ups… Everyone has a different path and dreams, but one feeling must be mutual — recalling the first day in IIT Delhi and today. You must be feeling satisfied by your journey from orientation to convocation… You all should cherish this moment,” the PM said.

PM Modi calls for more women among IIT Delhi medal winners

The Prime Minister presented several of IIT Delhi’s top academic honours during the ceremony, including the President’s Gold Medal, Director’s Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal and Perfect Ten Gold Medals.

While congratulating the award winners, PM Modi drew attention to the number of women among them.

“Many students have received medals for their achievements. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you. However, it would have been even better if there were a few more girls among them. Sorry. Why just one or two? There should have been more,” he said.

“Just as your families are feeling proud today, I, too, am proud of all of you.”

Param Pragya AI supercomputing facility inaugurated

The convocation also saw the inauguration of Param Pragya, a high-performance computing facility at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat campus.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the AI-powered system is expected to strengthen work in artificial intelligence, data science, advanced computing and research cutting across disciplines.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, IIT Delhi Board of Governors Chairperson Harish Salve and IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee were among those present at the ceremony.

Joshi said the institute represented the transformation taking place in India’s education ecosystem.

“Prime Minister Modi’s vision has made our education ecosystem learner-centric, research-driven, and future-ready,” he said.

He described IIT Delhi as a “living example of this transformation” and said institutions were capable of producing not only graduates but also innovators, researchers and “nation builders”.

PM Modi had said ahead of the ceremony that he was looking forward to interacting with IIT Delhi’s students and teachers and praised the institute’s contribution to research and innovation