At IIT Delhi's recent convocation, a Sanskrit recitation sparked controversy after Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed claimed it was the Gayatri Mantra, questioning its appropriateness at an academic event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony, adding political significance to the discussion. However, an IIT Kanpur alumnus challenged Mohamed's identification, stating the recitation came from the Siksavalli section of the Taittiriya Upanishad, which focuses on the teacher-student relationship rather than being a religious chant. The specific verse included 'Tan mm avatu, tad vaktram avatu,' emphasizing mutual protection between student and teacher before knowledge transfer. Mohamed acknowledged personal appreciation for the Gayatri Mantra but argued against its inclusion in secular academic settings, prompting a debate over the content of the recitation and its relevance in educational contexts.
At the eighth convocation of the National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh (NIT-A.P.), held on Tuesday at Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district, iLabs Group Chairman Chintalapati Srinivasa Raju urged students to embrace emerging technologies and focus on opportunities within the manufacturing sector. During his address, Raju emphasized the need for students to pursue innovative research to support India’s goal of achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047. A total of 644 B.Tech and 53 Ph.D. degrees were awarded during the ceremony. IIT Tirupati Director K. N. Satyanarayana, serving as the Guest of Honour, praised the students for their hard work, perseverance, and discipline. He highlighted India’s trajectory toward global leadership in manufacturing, space, renewable energy, semiconductors, and innovation, stating that young minds play a crucial role in this transformation. In-Charge Director of NIT Andhra Pradesh, N. V. Ramana Rao, outlined the institution’s progress over the past decade. He mentioned that the first phase of infrastructure development, with an investment of ₹411 crore, was underway on the campus. Efforts are being made to establish modern laboratories and research centers to enhance teaching and research capabilities. According to Ramana Rao, NIT Andhra Pradesh has secured a position in the 201–300 range in the engineering category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for 2025. This indicates the growing recognition of the institute both nationally and internationally. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 57th convocation ceremony of IIT Delhi on Saturday. Speaking to over 3,000 graduating students, including 587 PhD scholars, Modi emphasized the pivotal role of the younger generation in shaping India’s future. He stated that the decisions made by the current batch of graduates over the next three to four decades would significantly influence the nation’s journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat. Modi encouraged the students to think about how their choices could fulfill the country’s needs and contribute to its growth. Modi also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and staying curious in a rapidly changing world. He remarked that the global power dynamics are shifting quickly, driven largely by technological advancements. He urged the students to remain open to new challenges and opportunities, noting that those who adapt and innovate will thrive. Referring to India’s progress in the semiconductor sector, Modi acknowledged the initial skepticism surrounding the government’s efforts to develop the industry. However, he expressed confidence that the nation would soon achieve self-reliance in producing everything from chips to ships. During his speech, Modi also touched upon the significance of research and innovation. He spoke about various initiatives aimed at promoting research in the country, including the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship, the Research, Development and Innovation Scheme, and the National Research Foundation. These programs aim to provide substantial funding, up to Rs 1 lakh crore, for the research sector. Additionally, Modi referenced the One Nation One Subscription initiative, which aims to provide access to prestigious journals and resources for researchers nationwide. Modi further encouraged the graduates to take bold steps in seeking solutions to complex problems. He advised them to challenge conventional wisdom and ask critical questions, emphasizing the need for courage in finding answers. He also called for greater participation and representation of women in academic and professional fields, stressing the importance of creating an environment conducive to their success in education, research, and innovation. The convocations at NIT-A.P. and IIT Delhi reflect the broader narrative of India’s educational institutions preparing the next generation of leaders to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. As these students step into their careers, their contributions will be instrumental in realizing the aspirations of a technologically advanced and self-reliant India.
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3 reports
India TodayIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 788/10/2026
At IIT Delhi's recent convocation, a Sanskrit recitation sparked controversy after Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed claimed it was the Gayatri Mantra, questioning its appropriateness at an academic event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony, adding political significance to the discussion. However, an IIT Kanpur alumnus challenged Mohamed's identification, stating the recitation came from the Siksavalli section of the Taittiriya Upanishad, which focuses on the teacher-student relationship rather than being a religious chant. The specific verse included 'Tan mm avatu, tad vaktram avatu,' emphasizing mutual protection between student and teacher before knowledge transfer. Mohamed acknowledged personal appreciation for the Gayatri Mantra but argued against its inclusion in secular academic settings, prompting a debate over the content of the recitation and its relevance in educational contexts.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives, Shama Mohamed's concern about religious content in academic settings and the IIT Kanpur alumnus's correction regarding the misidentification of the recitation. There is no evident bias toward either side; the framing remains balanced, focusing on the factual in
Why factuality (88): The article clearly states that Shama Mohamed incorrectly identified the verses as the Gayatri Mantra, citing an IIT Kanpur alumnus as the correct identifier. This aligns with the cross-source consensus. It provides specific details about the text and its significance, supporting factual claims with
Why objectivity (78): While the article presents the correction to Shama Mohamed's claim, it frames the issue primarily from the perspective of the IIT Kanpur alumnus, which may give more emphasis to that viewpoint rather than presenting a fully balanced discussion.
India TodayIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 758/10/2026
At IIT Delhi's convocation, a centuries-old Sanskrit chant from the Shikshavalli of the Taittiriya Upanishad sparked a social media debate after being misidentified as the Gayatri Mantra by Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed. The controversy arose due to the perceived religious nature of the chant at a technological institution. However, academics and scholars clarified that the verses were from Shikshavalli, which focuses on learning, teacher-student relationships, ethical conduct, and the transmission of knowledge. The text, part of the Taittirya Upanishad, emphasizes discipline, proper pronunciation, and the responsibilities of students and teachers. The debate highlights broader discussions about India's ancient intellectual traditions and the role of religious texts in educational settings.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses a political figure (Congress spokesperson) and touches on ideological debates around religion and education, the framing remains balanced. It presents both perspectives, Shama Mohamed's identification of the chant as religious versus scholars' clarification of its secular,
Why factuality (85): The article accurately describes the controversy around the Shikshavalli verses at IIT Delhi's convocation, noting the initial misidentification by Shama Mohamed as the Gayatri Mantra. It cites academics and scholars who corrected the identification, aligning with the cross-source consensus. However
Why objectivity (75): The article presents the controversy in a balanced manner, discussing both sides of the debate. However, it leans slightly toward the perspective of academics and scholars who corrected the misidentification, potentially giving more weight to their viewpoint than others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 57th convocation ceremony of IIT Delhi, where he praised engineers and emphasized their role in national development. He highlighted the importance of engineering as a career path, stating that he was the first in his family to build a rocket, which he used as an example of innovation and contribution to the nation. Modi encouraged graduates to pursue their dreams and contribute to India's progress through their work.
Bias read (Center): The article presents Prime Minister Modi's speech at an academic event, focusing on his encouragement of engineers and the value of education. While the subject involves a political figure, the framing remains neutral, emphasizing his personal achievement and motivational message without overtly sl抗
Why factuality (60): This article discusses PM Modi's speech at the IIT Delhi convocation and emphasizes his message to Gen Z students, but does not mention the Shikshavalli controversy or the debate. Therefore, it cannot be assessed for factuality regarding the main event discussed in other articles.
Why objectivity (65): The article reports PM Modi's speech in a neutral tone, focusing on his message to students without apparent bias. However, due to lack of content on the main event, it lacks objectivity in relation to the broader context.
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