President of India Droupadi Murmu graced the 12th Convocation Ceremony of Fakir Mohan University at Balasore, Odisha as the Chief Guest today, on 3rd Feb. 2026. Smt. Murmu unveiled the statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on campus, honouring his legacy and inaugurated the newly constructed 1000-seater Auditorium named as “Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Convention Hall.”
The President Smt. Murmu paid tributes to Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati, the legendary Odia poet after whom the university is named. The ceremony was enriched by the inspiring words of Chief Guest, Hon’ble President Smt. Murmu who delivered a heartfelt and motivational address. She said that during her student days, she was deeply moved by Fakir Mohan’s timeless story, ‘Revati’. She had studied in a remote tribal village and, with her firm resolve, she went to Bhubaneswar, where she completed her high school and college education. In this way, Fakir Mohan Senapati has been an inspiration to her, Smt. Murmu added.
The President also spoke about the rich knowledge and cultural traditions of India. Apart from poetry and literature, they are also a source of knowledge in areas including science, medicine, astronomy and architecture. Young students can conduct research in this ancient knowledge tradition, she added. Congratulating the graduating students, the President advised them that wherever they go and whatever they do, the key to success in every endeavour is dedication.
The President was happy to note that Fakir Mohan University gives importance to research and outreach programmes in addition to academic studies. She stated that the Balasore & Bhadrak region is famous for ‘Dhana, Pana, Mina and appreciated the university for conducting research and training programmes in these sectors. She said that the university’s programmes such as ‘Back to School’, ‘Each One Teach One’, and environmental awareness and beach cleaning initiatives are praiseworthy.
As blue crabs are found in abundance on the beaches of Balasore and Bhadrak, establishing a research center on horseshoe crabs demonstrates the university’s foresight, said Smt. Murmu. She also expressed her confidence that Fakir Mohan University, through its academic vision and community engagement, will play a transformative role in this direction.
The convocation ceremony was presided over by the Hon’ble Governor and Chancellor of Fakir Mohan University, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati. Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha, Mr. Suryabanshi Suraj and Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Balasore, Mr. Pratap Chandra Sarangi graced the event as Guest of Honour. Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr.) Santosh Kumar Tripathy delivered the welcome address at the ceremony, emphasizing the university’s unwavering commitment to research, innovation and academic excellence.
The Convocation ceremony was smoothly conducted by Registrar Smt. Kukumina Das and well-coordinated by Prof (Dr.) Nihar Ranjan Rout.
The event was attended by the Chairman, Post Graduate Council of FM University, Prof (Dr.) Bhaskar Behera and all the Senate, Syndicate and Academic Council members, university officials, staffs and students of the university. During the convocation, three eminent persons Sj. Santanu Kumar Acharya, Smt. Anuradha Biswal and Guru Gopal Chandra Panda were conferred with Honorary Degrees of D.Litt.
