# PM Modi jokes with IIT Delhi grads, urges them to question 2026-08-08T17:50:52+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Prime Minister Narendra Modi joked with IIT Delhi graduates on Saturday that he is not Baba Bageshwar, a spiritual leader who claims to read minds, but said he could sense their thoughts about new jobs and startups. Addressing the 57th convocation ceremony, he urged students to question things accepted without thought and find their own solutions. He noted that challenges become opportunities for those with courage to innovate. Modi stressed that youth empowerment is the bedrock of Viksit Bharat, and highlighted India's push for self-reliance in semiconductors, space, drones, AI and quantum computing. He revealed a target of up to Rs 1 lakh crore for advanced research. Over 3,000 students received degrees, including 587 PhD scholars. The PM regretted that no women were among the medallists, saying there should have been many more daughters receiving awards. ## Coverage - livemint.com - economictimes.indiatimes.com Tags: Baba Bageshwar, convocation, IIT Delhi, PM Modi, Viksit Bharat, women in STEM Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-jokes-with-iit-delhi-graduates-about-baba-bageshwar/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-jokes-with-iit-delhi-graduates-about-baba-bageshwar/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.