Pune (10th April): The First Convocation of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune was organized on Saturday, 10th April 2010 at 4.00 p.m. on the premises of the Vidyapeeth. Hon'ble Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, (Minister of Power, Government of India) was the Chief Guest and he delivered the Convocation Address to the grandaunds. His Excellency Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil, (Governor of Tripura) graced the occasion. Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, presided over the Function. Brig. (Dr.) Amarjit Singh, Vice Chancellor presented the Vidyapeeth Report. Members of the Academic Council and of the Board of Management were on the dais.

A total of 943 students, who have successfully completed, during 2008-2009, programmes in different faculties including Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics and Management 2008-2011 from, were awarded Degrees. University Gold Medals were awarded to 28 students who stood first at various examinations.

Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor of the Vidyapeeth conferred the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) on Prof. U. R. Rao, former Chairman, Indian Space & Research Organisation (ISRO) and on Baba Rajdev Ji, Founder, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar for his unique contributions to Space Science and Space Technology and Yoga and Ayurvedic Medicine respectively.

While replying Prof. U. R. Rao said, "For the first time, India is putting elevators in space. Technology has advanced in such a way that one small chip contains millions of nano particles. I'm glad to know that there is a fair bit of work going on in nanotechnology in Pune itself. This will take India much ahead and something we had not seen during the past 50 years will be seen 50 years ahead."

Prof. Rao stated that the Indian space programme stands much above the space programmes of most nations. "Some years ago, man never imagined to reach moon, but today, Indian scientists have found water on the moon. What we did not imagine 50 years back is happening now," In the end he extolled new graduates and advised them to 'dare to dream'.

Addressing the students, most of whom were of medical science and biotechnology. Baba Ramdev Ji also criticized female feticide and doctors involved in the practice. He advised them that as aspiring doctors they must ensure that they are the ones who are against female feticide and not who practiced it."

The Union Minister of Power Shri. Sushilkumar Shinde, the Chief Guest, in his Convocation Address, urged the new graduates, to take up research as career. He reminded them that India can do much more in the field of research. Today, India has 17 per cent of the World's population; however, its contribution to world's research is near 1.5 per cent. There is a need for young students to take more interest in R&D study and improve the present situation. Although India has large infrastructure in healthcare services and India is emerging as a tourist destination still healthcare services has not reached the rural population, because it is heavily heavily concentrated in urban areas. The young doctors, he reminded, should come forward and make it a point to serve the rural masses. He advised the Vidyapeeth to set up a research centre to work on all the ancient medical practices in India.

His Excellency Padmashree Dr. D. Y. Patil, Governor of Tripura, addressed the Assembly. He emphasized on the role of moral values in the development of an individual.

Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune encouraged the young graduates and appealed them to serve the nation. He looked upon the graduating alumni as permanent ambassadors of the Vidyapeeth in the Society at large. He reminded them that they were at the beginning of their career and that the Vidyapeeth could take pride in what they accomplished and achieved in their future life

The function was ended by Vande Mataram.