Be in vanguard of battle for rights of our people: President to law students

President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said the legal fraternity, especially students of law, must be in the vanguard of the battle for the rights and welfare of our people.

"Universities like NLSIU must take the lead in meeting contemporary challenges and ensuring that our civilizational values of love for motherland, performance of duty, compassion for all, tolerance, pluralism, respect for women, honesty in life, self-restraint in conduct, responsibility in action and discipline are fully entrenched in young minds," President Mukherjee said while addressing the 24th Annual Convocation of National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.

The President called upon the students to read, learn and formulate views on national issues.

He said a democracy cannot be healthy without informed participation.

"It is not enough to merely vote periodically. It requires effective implementation," he said.

He called upon the students to be the change that they seek through participation in all matters relating to governance and the state.

He said engage with our beautiful, complex, often difficult and sometimes noisy democracy. Help strengthen and refine legal and political institutions.

He asked them to pass on what they have learned and help others understand their rights as well as responsibilities.

"Help the nation create better citizens who are able to access all the opportunities that our country and society offer," he added.