New Delhi:  The President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee attended the Centenary Year Celebrations of Banaras Hindu University and delivered the Centennial Address  yesterday at Varanasi.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said by 2030 more than half of India’s population will be in the working age bracket. “The so called demographic dividend is a double-edged sword. Our huge workforce can be an asset or a liability. It will be an asset only if we can provide quality education and skills training. If we can enhance the employability of our youth, we can become suppliers of workforce to the world. “  the President emphasised.

The President said research and innovation needs to be made a national priority. He paid homage to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on the occasion and said said the Mahamana decided wisely to establish the University in Kashi because the city was not merely a geographical expression but a name which ignites minds as a place which has nurtured the growth of civilization.

Mr Pranab Mukherjee praised BHU for turning itself into a great centre of learning with around 32,000 students, half of them living on campus making it the largest residential University in Asia. He praised the architectural beauty of its buildings, the greenery of the campus and the fact that it provided education for both worldly progress and inner growth.