Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan today called upon young Indians to question, think critically and act with a strong sense of responsibility towards society and the nation.
Addressing the award ceremony of the 3rd Shri Arun Jaitley Memorial Debate at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi, the Vice-President said questioning is an essential pillar of democracy.
“Without asking questions, there is no democracy. But questions should be asked wherever required, not to disrupt, but to develop,” he said.
Urging students to exercise independent judgement, he said: “Before supporting anyone, you should ask whether it will be beneficial for society and the nation. If you have that mindset, India will become a developed country before 2047.”
Congratulating SRCC on completing 100 years, the Vice-President, who is also Chancellor of the University of Delhi, said a century is “not just a measure of time; it is a measure of character.”
He said institutions endure when they remain rooted in their values while continuously renewing themselves, responding to changing times and preparing for the future.
Describing Shri Arun Jaitley as a distinguished SRCC alumnus, political leader, organiser and accomplished orator, the Vice-President said he represented a rare combination of legal acumen, political understanding, economic vision and exceptional communication skills.
“Democracy is not strengthened by avoiding disagreement. Democracy is strengthened when disagreement is engaged through reason, evidence, and dialogue,” he said.
Recalling his interactions with Shri Jaitley during the tenure of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Vice-President highlighted his contribution to nation-building in several important capacities, including as Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs.
He noted Shri Jaitley’s role in major reforms including GST, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, taxation and fiscal reforms, and measures strengthening India’s financial and economic architecture. He also highlighted his contribution to financial inclusion.
He said that “what better tribute to this great person than a debate”, and appreciated SRCC for commemorating its distinguished alumnus through an intellectual forum.
The Vice-President emphasised that democratic discourse requires freedom of expression, respect for opposing viewpoints, evidence-based argument and parliamentary conduct.
He appreciated the organisers for selecting contemporary issues for debate, including the right to disconnect, universal basic income, employee representation in corporate governance and human capital for Viksit Bharat @2047.
Referring to the contemporary information environment of social media, algorithms, instant reactions and short-form content, he stressed the importance of reasoned and responsible public discourse.
He congratulated all participants and award winners, saying they had demonstrated “the value of intellectual engagement and the power of words.”
Urging students to “adapt constantly and learn continuously,” the Vice-President recalled how computers, once seen by many as a threat to jobs, eventually became a major driver of India’s growth in the IT sector.
“AI is giving us challenges, but we can make AI challenges into opportunities,” he said.
Highlighting the potential of AI to address challenges in a diverse country like India, he referred to real-time language translation as a significant example.
The Vice-President said that the Rajya Sabha is working towards introducing AI-enabled translation in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
At the same time, he cautioned students: “Never let algorithms become a substitute for your intellect. Human creativity can never be replaced by AI.”
Concluding, the Vice-President said the centenary of SRCC should remind everyone that “institutions become great when every generation leaves them greater than it found them.”
The Vice-President presented awards to the winners of the 3rd Shri Arun Jaitley Memorial Debate, commending all participants for their thoughtful arguments and spirited engagement with contemporary issues. He also felicitated distinguished alumni of SRCC for their exceptional achievements and contributions across various fields, acknowledging their accomplishments as a reflection of the institution’s rich legacy of excellence and leadership.
Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi; Shri Ajay S. Shriram, Chairman, Governing Body, SRCC; Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, SRCC; and Smt. Sangeeta Jaitley, spouse of Late Shri Arun Jaitley, besides distinguished faculty members, alumni, and students were present on the occasion.
