Panaji: Goa Governor Mridula Sinha Tuesday asked students not to break their marriage, send their parents to old-age homes or allow exploitation of women.
Speaking at the 29th convocation ceremony of the Goa University here, the Governor took the students by surprise when she asked them to take four vows.
“I want you (students) to take four pledges. First, you will not let go your parents to an old-age home. Secondly, marriage is not mandatory but important and that is why you will not break it after getting married (vivaah anivarya nahin, awashyak hai. Aap vivaah Karne ke baad nahin todenge),” she said.
Sinha asked the students to raise their hands if they were willing to take the pledge.
Most of the students raised their hands, some reluctantly though, to accept the vows, The Business Standard reported.
The Governor also asked the students to come to the rescue of women, even risk their lives, if they witnessed exploitation of women.
“Aapki nazar ke saamne jahan kahin bhi kisi yuvti ya aurat ke saath atyachar ho raha ho, wahan jaan par khel kar use bachayenge (you will risk your lives to come to the rescue of women facing exploitation),” she said.
Lastly, she asked the students to not litter.
“If you see litter, you would pick it up and dispose it at an appropriate place,” Sinha said.
The Governor also expressed confidence in the potential of the youths to take the country forward.
“A university is not a machine (read place) to earn mere packages, it is a breeding ground for humans and humanity,” she said at the event.
The ceremony was presided over by President Pranab Mukherjee. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and other dignitaries were also present in the function.