Mysore/Mysuru: Asserting that the country’s rich culture, heritage and traditions are important, Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh said that youths should actively engage in saving our cultural environment.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the 13th Graduates’ Day of JSS College for Women (Autonomous) in the College premises at Saraswathipuram here recently.

Appreciating the role of the College in spreading education, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh said it is important to free women from the clutches of dogmatic beliefs and ensuring their place in the society.

Arguing that Indian culture has always respected women, the Union Minister described culture as a whole which includes knowledge, art, morals, beliefs and innumerable other aspects handed down from generation to generation.

Stressing on the need for every creature on this earth to live unitedly, he said that job opportunities will come to our doorstep if we succeed in overcoming challenges and shortcomings. He had a word of advice for the new graduates saying that they should always be aware of having inherited a rich culture and they should preserve its essence and pass on the same to posterity.

A total of  670 students (557 degree and 113 Post-Graduates) received their certificates on the occasion. The Union Minister’s wife Prof. Debala Devi, a Geography Professor, distributed prizes to toppers.

Those who received the prizes include R. Kusumitha, N. Prema and S. Stefiruth (Graduates); B.M. Neelamma and K.K. Sahana in M.A. (Economics); K.A. Anusha  and S. Sangeetha in M.Com; S. Mamatha and Srilakshmi in M.Sc (Chemistry); S. Sahana,  J.M. Ankita and B.M. Harshitha in B.Sc; K.R. Aishwarya, H.L. Arundhati and L. Durgashri in B.Com; Meghana S. Nayak, P. Mauna and K.M. Ponnamma in BBA; N. Deepika, I. Khushboo and K.N. Vinutha in BCA.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji graced the occasion.  MLA L. Nagendra, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, College Principal Dr. K.V. Suresha, Controller of Examination M.M. Swamy and others were present.