“I’m Not Baba Bageshwar, But…”: PM Modi’s One-Liner at IIT Delhi Convocation Leaves Students in Splits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned a formal convocation address into a lighter moment on Saturday when he made an unexpected reference to Baba Bageshwar, prompting laughter inside the auditorium at the 57th convocation ceremony of IIT Delhi.

Addressing the graduating students as the chief guest, PM Modi said that while students may appear focused on the ceremony, many thoughts about their future would inevitably be running through their minds.

With a touch of humour, he said, “I am not Baba Bageshwar, but surely, thoughts are running through every student’s mind.”

The remark immediately brought smiles and laughter from the audience.

PM Modi Talks About What Comes After IIT

PM Modi then described some of the different possibilities that graduating students may be thinking about as they prepare to leave the institute.

He said some students would be waiting for their first salary, while others could be preparing to move to a new city for a fresh beginning. Some, he noted, may already be dreaming about launching their first startup, while others could have their sights set on another competitive examination.

“Many students will be waiting for their first salary. Some will be preparing for a new beginning in a new city. Many friends will be dreaming of their first startup. Some will have set the target of the next competitive exam,” PM Modi said.

He added that although every student would have a different path and a different dream, there would still be a common feeling among them.

The moment gave the otherwise formal ceremony a more personal and relatable tone.

‘Youth Are Our Biggest Strength’

Moving from humour to a broader message, PM Modi highlighted the role of young Indians in shaping the country’s economic and technological future.

Speaking about India’s growing startup ecosystem, he encouraged young people to maintain a continuous desire to learn.

“Every young person should always have a desire to learn. Because youth are our biggest strength,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks placed particular emphasis on the ability of young Indians to turn ideas into businesses, innovations and opportunities.

For students graduating from one of India’s premier technical institutions, the message was also a reminder that their education could have an impact well beyond their individual careers.

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PM Modi’s Message For A ‘Developed India’

PM Modi also expressed confidence in the younger generation and linked their choices to India’s long-term development goals.

“We trust you. The country needs you,” he told the students.

He said every generation faces its own set of challenges and carries a responsibility towards the country. According to PM Modi, the decisions made by today’s youth could influence India’s development trajectory for decades.

“Whatever you do in the next 30 to 35 years will impact our journey towards a ‘developed India,’” he said, urging students to think about how their decisions could serve the country’s needs.

From A Joke To A Bigger Message

The Baba Bageshwar reference may have been the line that got the biggest laugh, but the larger theme of PM Modi’s address was the confidence he placed in India’s youth.

For the graduating students of IIT Delhi, the Prime Minister’s message was clear: their next chapter is not simply about finding a job or building a career. Their choices, innovations and ambitions could also play a role in shaping India’s future.

The light-hearted moment, meanwhile, added an unexpected touch of humour to an otherwise significant day for the graduating batch.