Archive · 8 Aug 2026
PM Modi's Witty IIT Delhi Convocation Advice: Question, Find Answers
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, came to a big college called IIT Delhi to celebrate students who just finished their studies.
He made everyone laugh when he joked, "I am not Baba Bageshwar," meaning he cannot read minds but knows students have lots of thoughts.
He said every student has different dreams—some want a first salary, some want to start a company, and some want to study more.
He told them the world is changing very fast because of technology, so they should keep being curious and keep learning all their lives.
He also said they should question things people accept without thinking, but they must have the courage to find answers themselves.
He advised that when they face a big problem, they should not be scared—they should break it into small parts and solve it step by step.
He explained that what they do in the next 30 to 35 years will help turn India into a strong developed country called Viksit Bharat.
He opened a new very fast computer called Param Pragya that will help researchers.
He reminded them that stronger youth make a stronger nation.
PM Narendra Modi addressed graduating students at IIT Delhi's 57th convocation ceremony on August 8, 2026, which he attended in person for the first time.
In a lighter moment, he joked, "I am not Baba Bageshwar... but something or the other must be going on," drawing laughter from the gathering.
Modi urged students to test things accepted without thinking and to have the courage to find solutions, not just ask questions.
He said what graduates do over the next 30-35 years will shape India's journey toward Viksit Bharat, adding "the stronger the youth, the stronger the nation."
He inaugurated the Param Pragya AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi's Sonipat campus and noted the government is arranging Rs 1 lakh crore for research and innovation.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and graduating students of IIT Delhi; the visit also references former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who resigned after student protests.
- What
- Modi delivered the convocation address with life lessons, inaugurated the Param Pragya AI-powered supercomputing facility, and presented gold medals to meritorious students.
- When
- August 8, 2026 (Saturday).
- Where
- IIT Delhi, New Delhi; the Param Pragya facility is at IIT Delhi's Sonipat campus.
- Why
- To inspire graduates to keep learning and contribute to building a developed India (Viksat Bharat) amid rapid global change; the visit also followed student protests at Jantar Mantar that led to the Education Minister's resignation.
- Event
- 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi
- Date
- August 8, 2026
- Location
- IIT Delhi, New Delhi
- Notable remark
- "I am not Baba Bageshwar... but something or the other must be going on"
- Facility inaugurated
- Param Pragya AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi's Sonipat campus
- Research funding
- Rs 1 lakh crore arranged by the government for research and innovation
- Honours presented
- President's Gold Medal, Director's Gold Medal, Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal, Perfect Ten Gold Medals
- Background
- Visit came after student protests at Jantar Mantar led to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
