Don’t blame the govt., be the innovation: Krishna Ella tells graduates at UoH convocation

India was once a job creator but is a job seeker now. Many traditional Indian ideas and products that have faded at home gain popularity after recognition overseas. India which was once a world leader in innovation, has lost that spirit as people stopped taking risks, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) Krishna Ella said on Tuesday.

Addressing young graduates at the 25th convocation ceremony of University of Hyderabad here, he advised them to focus on innovation, skill, and imagination, the elements to take India forward. “Don’t get into negative thinking and don’t blame the government. Government of India or University of Hyderabad does not create innovation. Innovation is you; it is not taught, but visualised,” he said.

Speaking extempore, Mr. Ella explained the importance of entrepreneurship as a solution for societal problems and its difference from a business. He shared his experiences in science and vaccine development and stressed the importance of imagination in science.

He shared how BBIL, amid doubts by many scientists, overcame challenges and brought out Covaxin.

“Many doubted that Indian scientists could not deliver, they wanted to belittle Indian science. Even the media thought Indian scientists cannot deliver like their counterparts in the U.S. There was so much negative thinking then, but we proved that India could lead in science and innovation,” he said.

Mr.Ella observed that the future is in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, rare earth materials and the impact of social science in integrating diverse populations.

Governor and Chief Rector Jishnu Dev Varma, greeting the graduates, said the convocation was a celebration of hard work and vision for a better future. He quoted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and said education must build an equal and inclusive society.

Vice-Chancellor B.J. Rao, presenting the university’s report, said UoH was not just an academic institution but also a green campus committed to sustainability. As per world rankings, the university’s citations have improved, and seven subjects are ranked among the best, he said.

In all, 1,717 students graduated, and 990 students received their degrees in person. A visually impaired student from M.A. Political Science, Gopi Tejaswi received gold medal for her outstanding performance. Mohammed Sultan Khan from Kashmir was awarded the Prof. Yenugu Ramaswamy Naidu Medal for best Ph.D. thesis in Animal Biology.

Chancellor Justice L. Narasimha Reddy (retired) and Registrar Devesh Nigam were present.