In a powerful and reflective address at the convocation of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, urged the nation’s young veterinarians to embrace a future rooted in compassion, scientific innovation, and ecological responsibility. Speaking to graduates at the prestigious IVRI campus in Bareilly, the President outlined a vision where animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and advanced technology converge under the global concept of ‘One Health’.
Culture, Coexistence, and Crisis
Drawing upon ancient Indian philosophy, President Murmu reminded the audience of the value system embedded in “Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam”—the belief that the divine resides in every living being.
“Our gods and sages are believed to have communicated with animals. That belief isn’t superstition—it’s an extension of the Indian ethos that sees nature not as a resource, but as a relative,” she said.
Citing the irreversible loss of biodiversity and the extinction of numerous species, the President emphasized the urgent need for conservation, especially in the face of a rapidly deteriorating ecological balance.
“The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call,” she warned. “It proved how a consumption-driven culture can inflict irreparable harm on both humanity and the environment.”
‘One Health’: Beyond Boundaries
President Murmu underscored the rising global relevance of the ‘One Health’ approach, a paradigm that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. She noted that zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans—pose one of the greatest threats of the modern era, and veterinary professionals must play a frontline role in combating them.
“Institutes like IVRI must become nerve centers of preventive action. Veterinary science must extend beyond care to prediction, prevention, and innovation,” she said.
Technology as a Catalyst
Addressing the transformative potential of emerging technologies, the President encouraged widespread integration of AI, big data analytics, genome editing, and embryo transfer techniques into veterinary practices. She urged veterinary institutions to localize these advancements, focusing on indigenous, low-cost solutions that align with India’s socio-economic fabric.
“We need affordable and environmentally friendly medicines and nutritional interventions,” she said. “Veterinary technology shouldn’t just be imported—it must be innovated in India, for India.”
From Caretakers to Changemakers
In a deeply personal appeal to the graduates, President Murmu lauded their commitment to voiceless creatures and urged them to let animal welfare be their compass in times of doubt.
“When facing dilemmas in life, think of the animals you’ve vowed to care for. They will guide you,” she said.
Encouraging entrepreneurship in animal sciences, she called on the students to establish start-ups that could not only drive innovation but also generate rural employment and contribute to India’s growing economy.
A Visionary Send-Off
As she concluded her speech, the President left the audience with a call to action: veterinary science must evolve from a reactive discipline to a proactive force. From labs to livestock, from tech labs to tribal belts—India’s next generation of veterinary professionals must lead a transformation that is as much about ethics as it is about expertise.
The convocation ceremony, held under the cloud of global ecological anxiety and emerging public health threats, was more than a ceremonial event. It was a declaration: that India’s animal scientists are not just medics, but mediators of a fragile balance between species, environments, and futures.
