The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addressed the 72nd convocation ceremony of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad on August 27, 2026. Around 900 students received their degrees at the event, which was attended by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and other dignitaries. The Home Minister spoke on Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, education policy, and national development, drawing connections between Gandhi’s vision and current government initiatives.
Key points from the address
Gujarat Vidyapith was founded on October 18, 1920, and was envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi as a laboratory for educational experimentation and a centre for research on the Indian education system. The institution played a strategic role during India’s independence struggle.
Shri Shah highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is built on five pillars: mother tongue, skills, multidisciplinary learning, Indian knowledge tradition, and holistic personality development. He stated that education should develop three aspects together: skills in hands, sensitivity in the heart, and knowledge combined with wisdom in the mind.
On economic growth, the Home Minister noted that the turnover of Khadi and Village Industries increased from ₹31,000 crore in 2013-14 to ₹1.87 lakh crore in 2025-26. He described khadi not merely as a fabric but as an embodiment of the Swadeshi principle.
Shri Shah also spoke about Gandhi’s seven social sins—politics without principles, business without morality, wealth without labour, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice. He emphasized Gandhi’s 11 vows, which remain relevant today.
What this means for you
Students graduating from institutions like Gujarat Vidyapith are being encouraged to set life goals that prioritize national, social and community welfare rather than personal gain. The government’s emphasis on the National Education Policy suggests that educational institutions will increasingly focus on Indian languages, skills training, and character development alongside academic knowledge. The growth in khadi and village industries points to expanding employment opportunities in these sectors aligned with government priorities.