Engrossing 65th Republic Day celebrations

Manipal Academy of Higher Education celebrated the 65th Republic Day on Sunday with the usual passion and fervor. KMC Greens was a picture of pride which fills the hearts of every Indian on this day. Hoisting the tricolor, the march past, the patriotic songs and the speech tailor-made for the occasion, blend so well that all present experienced the essence of freedom. Hosted by Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal campus, the near-one-hour programme was engrossing. 

Vice Chancellor, Dr K Ramnarayan’s speech on 65th Republic Day 2014
Chancellor, Dr Ramdas Pai, Madam Vasanthi Pai, Pro Chancellor Dr H.S.Ballal, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr H Vinod Bhat, Registrar, Dr G.K.Prabhu, Dean Dr Ullas Kamath, Associate Dean Dr Anamma Kurien, Heads of Institutes, University Officials, Faculty Members, Parade contingents, Students and all others of Manipal Family, Republic Day greetings to everyone assembled here today.
As the tricolour unfurls on this solemn occasion, let us re-dedicate ourselves to our duties and responsibilities, conscious that we are a part of a great nation with a great destiny.
Sixty-five years is a milestone in the long history of a country like India. Yet, we can say with pride that the growth of Manipal is mirrored in the growth of our nation, with the flagship institution Kasturba Medical College, celebrating its diamond jubilee year. The founder and builder of the Manipal institutions was a doctor, banker and philanthropist. He brought new and bold thoughts and ideas into the then young and nascent India. The patriotism of Dr TMA Pai, who gave up an overseas career to serve his people in his homeland, gave birth to a gigantic and successful social experiment to create new models of academic entrepreneurship, healthcare and banking that benefited the common man, the local society and the nation at large. With the birth of the Republic of India, Manipal began to tell a new story. We have lived and relived that story with gusto, with an indomitable spirit that symbolized a resurgent India. We have fostered innovation while we embraced change.
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.

What has been the contribution of Manipal to India? We are proud to be a community, a global cosmopolitan community, a community rich with diversity, a community that encompasses multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-nation, multi-ethnic character. It signifies the pluralism of an India represented by our students, faculty, family, mentors and teachers living in perfect harmony. The lasting legacy we can leave is our tolerance for our differences. Here, at Manipal, we help to build a symphony that is India.
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.

We are proud to be a community where the full potential can bloom, a campus which can stimulate both professional and personal growth. The proof is that Manipal Academy of Higher Education is ranked among the top 100 BRICS countries. This is the first ranking for the BRICS countries and Manipal Academy of Higher Education is the only private university in the country to find a place in the new rankings. On that list, we represent India,
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.

We have created a community that cares. With its eco-friendly policies, we strive to achieve Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy ‘The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed’. We have striven to make sustainable, positive changes in this ecosystem. Manipal Academy of Higher Education has been ranked first among the Indian suburban universities and 27th in the world according to UI Green metric world university ranking. When Manipal Academy of Higher Education is honoured, we represent India.
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.

We value and care about each other, operate as a team with a generosity of spirit, and have fun in the process of working together. Just two weeks ago at the Asian Education Excellence Summit for Asia’s 100 best and fast growing educational institutions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Kasturba Medical College and Manipal Institute of Technology were ranked topmost in their respective categories. Our core values, the courage and creativity needed to realize that vision represents aspirational India.
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.

Today, ours is a young country where more than 40 per cent of the citizens are less than 25 years of age. Over 25,000 of those youth study in Manipal Academy of Higher Education institutions. The stability of our democracy will be safeguarded by the immense potential of our youth. From them will emerge our contribution to India -- talented creative thinkers, scientists, doctors, writers, engineers, artists, musicians and athletes.
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.

Let us pledge to use our united strength, let us pledge to use our determination, let us pledge to use our sense of unity and purpose to greet the great future of our country. Many opportunities, diverse people, all together make up one country, many opportunities, diverse people all together make up one India, many opportunities, diverse people all together make up one mini-India, one Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
Manipal epitomizes all that is best in India today.
Jai Hind