The 77th Republic Day of India was celebrated with solemn dignity and patriotic enthusiasm at IISER Berhampur on 26 January, with faculty members, staff, students, and security personnel coming together to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.

The programme commenced at 8:55 AM with the arrival of the Chief Guest, the Director of IISER Berhampur, who was received by senior officials of the Institute. The occasion marked a collective reaffirmation of the Institute’s commitment to constitutional values, academic excellence, and service to the nation.

At 9:00 AM, the National Flag was unfurled by the Director, followed by the singing of the National Anthem, evoking a deep sense of pride and unity among the gathering. This was followed by a march past led by the Institute’s security personnel, with disciplined participation from student contingents representing various student houses, showcasing synchrony, discipline, and patriotic spirit.

In his Republic Day address, the Director reflected on the historical and constitutional significance of the day, underscoring why Republic Day is observed with deep patriotism across the nation. He spoke about the ideals enshrined in the Constitution and how the day serves as a reminder of India’s democratic values, unity, and collective responsibility as citizens.

At the outset, the Director recalled the inspiring life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, emphasizing his thoughts on courage, determination, and the indomitable spirit required to achieve the seemingly impossible. He urged students and young scholars to read and reflect on Swami Vivekananda’s works, noting that his message of fearlessness, self-belief, and service to society remains deeply relevant in shaping responsible and visionary individuals.

The Director then spoke about India’s journey as a nation, reflecting on the country’s economic and social conditions during the time of Independence. He highlighted how India, despite starting from a position of limited resources and economic challenges, has steadily progressed over the decades, strengthening its economy and global standing through sustained effort, policy vision, and human capital.

Linking this national journey to the responsibility of citizens, he emphasized the pivotal role of human resources in shaping the future of the country. He highlighted how institutions like Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Berhampur bear a special responsibility in nurturing scientific temper, ethical values, and leadership among young minds.

He briefly traced the establishment of IISER Berhampur, recalling how land earlier used as a cashew plantation was allotted by the Government and subsequently transformed into an Institute of National Importance. He noted that the Institute’s growth stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to investing in education, research, and long-term national development.

The Director further highlighted the state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced laboratories, and modern research facilities being developed at the Institute to enable students and researchers to push the boundaries of science and innovation. He encouraged students to fully utilize these facilities and approach learning with curiosity, discipline, and a spirit of exploration.

Emphasizing the vision of the Government of India behind the IISER system, the Director remarked that these institutions are envisaged not only as centres of academic excellence but also as key contributors to national priorities and societal transformation, spanning scientific, technological, and interdisciplinary domains. He informed the gathering that he had recently participated in a high-level interaction with senior policymakers and distinguished personalities, including the Union Minister for Education, where the strategic role of IISERs in advancing India’s scientific capabilities was deliberated in detail. During these discussions, the importance of assigning focused thematic responsibilities to different IISERs was highlighted, with emphasis on frontier areas such as Rare-Earth and Critical Minerals, identified as crucial for the country’s technological self-reliance and future development.

As a mark of appreciation for their unwavering dedication, the security personnel of the Institute were felicitated for their vigilant service in ensuring the safety, discipline, and smooth functioning of the campus. Their role in maintaining a secure and orderly academic environment was specially acknowledged as an essential pillar supporting the Institute’s daily operations.

This was followed by the felicitation of the housekeeping personnel, recognizing their consistent efforts in maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and infrastructure across the campus. Their contribution was acknowledged as fundamental to creating a safe, healthy, and conducive environment for teaching, learning, and research. The gesture served as a reminder of the Institute’s inclusive ethos and its respect for the collective efforts of all sections of its workforce. The felicitation was met with warm appreciation from faculty members, staff, and students present on the occasion.

The celebrations also featured the distribution of awards to students who brought laurels to the Institute through outstanding achievements in academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular domains, at both internal and external platforms. These accomplishments reflected the students’ dedication, discipline, and pursuit of excellence across diverse areas.

The recognition underscored Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Berhampur’s commitment to holistic development, where academic rigour is complemented by opportunities for leadership, creativity, sports, and cultural engagement. The award ceremony served to inspire the student community to strive for excellence while upholding the Institute’s values of integrity, perseverance, and innovation.