Help those left behind: Prez

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday urged students to help the marginalised as they set targets for the future and said it was their duty to repay society.

Addressing the 83rd convocation of Agra University, Kovind said students who graduated today would be deciding on their targets. "Whatever target you set, you must strive hard to achieve it. Along with your progress, you must take along people who are left behind," he said.

The President said the university had an illustrious history of nine decades and had produced presidents, prime ministers and other stalwarts.

"He urged the students to see the convocation not as the end of a journey but the commencement of a new phase of responsibility and learning," a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan said on Tuesday.

Kovind referred to the many people who had contributed to their education -- from family and teachers to those in government and society, the statement said. They helped give students an opportunity that millions in the country were unable to get, he said. "Therefore, it is the duty of the graduating students to pay back to society in some way, and work for the cause of humanity," he said.

The President expressed confidence that the university would continue to play a meaningful role in preparing younger generations for the challenges of the 21st century.