Blurb
Prabhakar reminded students that January 26, 1950, marks India becoming a republic, adopting a Constitution ensuring equality, liberty, justice, empowering students to shape their lives and nation
MANGALURU
“A nation’s progress is not measured only by GDP, but by how civilized its citizens are,” said K.V. Prabhakar, media advisor to the Chief Minister, while addressing students at Mangaluru University’s Republic Day program. He hoisted the tricolour and called upon young people to honor the dreams of martyrs by shaping a stronger India.
Prabhakar reminded students that January 26 marks the day in 1950 when India became a republic, adopting a Constitution that enshrines equality, liberty, and justice. “The Constitution is more than a legal text; it is the first user manual for every Indian,” he said. Students, he added, are both the architects of their own lives and of the country’s future, holding the power to question outdated systems and drive meaningful change.
Warning against celebrating the day merely as a “long weekend,” he urged students to embrace responsibility and civic awareness. “Democracy is not a sport for spectators. Each citizen must act as an instrument that strengthens it,” he said, emphasizing the role of technology in amplifying young voices.
Prabhakar called for truth literacy in the era of deepfakes and urged students to uphold unity, respect, and dignity across caste, language, and religion. “When you leave this campus, do not carry only a degree. Be entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, and citizens who honor the highest ideals of our republic,” he said.
Highlighting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision, he said the Constitution is the “vehicle of life” for every Indian. Universities, he concluded, should not only grant degrees but also cultivate civic consciousness, nurturing students who carry forward the dream of an independent, just, and strong India.
