Stay away from substance abuse, value time: Tripura University VC tells freshers

Tripura University Vice-Chancellor Prof Debabrata Das on Tuesday urged newly admitted students to stay away from substance abuse, value time and focus on developing their own abilities instead of comparing themselves with others.

Addressing the ‘Deeksharambh (Students’ Induction Programme) 2026’ at the Maharaja Bir Bikram Shatabarshiki Bhawan in Suryamaninagar, Prof Das asked students to maintain a positive outlook and make effective use of their years at the university.

“Every moment of life is important. Twenty years from now, when you look back, today’s time could become one of the beautiful chapters of your life,” he told the students.

Prof Das said family and friendship continued to have an important place in students’ lives and advised the freshers to enjoy the present while preparing themselves for the future.

Speaking about substance abuse, the Vice-Chancellor cautioned students against finding excuses to move towards addiction and urged them instead to build a healthier and more meaningful life. He stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy state of mind and staying away from intoxicating substances.

He also advised students not to measure their progress by comparing themselves with others.

“Instead of competing with others, compete with yourself,” Prof Das said, adding that wealth or social status should not become the measure of a person’s success. Students should focus on improving their skills, capabilities and overall personality, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor also underlined the importance of time and opportunities, saying every person gets certain opportunities at particular points in life. Recognising and making proper use of such opportunities could play an important role in determining one’s future, he said.

Prof Das also asked students not to lose hope during difficult situations. Problems were becoming increasingly complex in the contemporary world and could not always be solved by individuals working alone, he said.

Teamwork and collective effort were important in dealing with complex challenges, Prof Das said, urging students to develop the ability to work with others and learn from different perspectives.

Tripura University officiating Registrar Prof Samir Kumar Sil advised students to complete their work on time and maintain regularity in their studies. He emphasised discipline and consistency as essential parts of academic life.

Lt Col Rohan Gupta spoke about the role of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in shaping young people and improving their quality of life. He explained various aspects of NCC training and its role in developing discipline, leadership and a sense of responsibility among students.

The programme was attended by Prof Chinmoy Roy, Prof Parthasarathi Gupta, Finance Officer Debashish Pal, Prof Indranil Bhowmik and Prof Ashesh Gupta, among others. Dr Sindhu Paudyal proposed the vote of thanks.

The induction programme was organised to introduce newly admitted students to the university environment and help them make the transition to higher education.