Style, razmataz rule as 213 designers graduate at the 31st convocation of National Institute of Design

Degrees were conferred on 213 students of National Institute of Design (NID) today at the 31st convocation of this premier design institute.

Graduating students clad in beige sarees and kurtas accepted their degrees from Salman Haidar, chairman, NID governing council.

M Hamid Ansari, the vice-president of India, congratulated the students in his convocation address at the function which was also attended by Anandiben Patel, state minister for revenue, and Dr Shimati Kamalaji, governor of Gujarat.

According to Pradyumna Vyas, director, NID, this convocation holds special importance as this is NID's golden jubilee year. Vyas also gave details of six new MOU's signed by NID this year, which will promote collaborative research and student-faculty exchange programmes.

The convocation celebration was organized in Eames Plaza located inside the NID campus. Among the 213 students, 51 are graduating from the four-year graduate diploma in design, 105 from the two and half year PG diploma programme in design, and 57 from the two-year PG diploma programme in design.

Apart from them, 15 students from the one year photography design certificate diploma were also awarded certificates.
hief guest M. Hamid Ansari, vice-president of India, said the roots of Indian design date back to the urban architecture and town planning of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.

He stressed on the need to solve the common man's problems through design ingenuity. The purpose of creating design should not be limited. In his opinion, an innovation that has helped many people lead normal lives such as the 'Jaipur foot' hasn't received the desired status of a great design marvel. Ansari also linked the design element with the freedom struggle.

"Gandhiji's focus on charkha and khadi converted them into symbols of the freedom struggle, which strengthened people's bonding with the nation, he said.

Advocating the need to develop a broad vision regarding design based industries, Ansari said the national design policy enunciated three years ago, enabled Indian industry which can improve the economy as well as quality of life.    

But the most remarkable comment from Ansari made everyone scratching their heads for answers. Challenging the students and faculty present on the occasion, He exclaimed: "Fifty years later, how many products and designs of NID can rival the humble vessel of everyday use - the lota!" He even asked them to re-design such common products with a focus on existing need, cost, quality and environment.