Focus on ‘Nation First’ principle, adopt soldiers’ dedication, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth tells graduates at PIBM convocation

Pune: Calling on young professionals to place the country above personal ambition, Union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth urged management graduates to adopt the discipline and dedication of soldiers while building their careers. Addressing the 16th convocation ceremony of Pune Institute of Business Management (PIBM) on Saturday, Seth said India's demographic strength and economic momentum present unprecedented opportunities for the country's youth.
Speaking to the graduating batch of 2023–2025, Seth noted that nearly 60 crore Indians were under 35 and described them as the driving force behind India's ambition to become a developed nation under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. "Young professionals must work with the same commitment with which soldiers serve the nation in the most demanding conditions," he said, stressing on the importance of the "nation first" principle.Seth also pointed to India's rapid expansion in digital infrastructure and governance systems. "Nearly Rs 56 lakh crore has been transferred directly to citizens through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism," he said. Referring to the country's entrepreneurial growth., he added: "India's startup ecosystem has expanded from around 1,000 startups a decade ago to more than 2.19 lakh today, generating employment for nearly 29 lakh people."The convocation ceremony marked the graduation of the institute's 2023–2025 batch, with degrees and certificates conferred upon students in the presence of senior govt officials, industry leaders, faculty members and parents.The ceremony began with a welcome address by Raman Preet, chairman and founder of PIBM, who reflected on the institute's journey since its establishment in 2007 and its focus on producing industry-ready management professionals. A presentation highlighting the institute's academic milestones and alumni achievements was also screened.Among the dignitaries present was minister of state for jal shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, who described the convocation as an important transition from academic learning to professional responsibility. He noted that PIBM has produced more than 16,000 graduates and has expanded its presence beyond Pune with campuses in Guwahati and Chandigarh.Several corporate leaders also addressed the gathering, sharing perspectives on leadership, emerging technologies and workplace expectations. Grant Thornton Bharat partner Ankit Chugh advised graduates to view artificial intelligence as a professional tool rather than a threat, while representatives from companies including BNY Mellon, CleverTap, KPMG and Alvarez & Marsal spoke about the importance of purpose, resilience and continuous learning.During the ceremony, students took the convocation pledge, committing themselves to professional ethics and integrity before receiving their post-graduate diplomas.