Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Ruins of Nalanda, on June 19, 2024.
Rajgir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Nalanda as a symbol of India’s academic heritage and vibrant cultural exchange while inaugurating the new campus of Nalanda University in this ancient capital of the Magadh empire here today.
The University is conceived as a collaboration between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. Mentioning the recent opening of global campuses of premier Indian institutions, the Prime Minister expressed the same hope for Nalanda. He expressed the belief that Nalanda’s knowledge would give direction to humanity and that the youth would lead the whole world in the coming times – “I believe Nalanda will become an important centre for global cause”.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed delight in visiting Nalanda within 10 days of taking oath as the Prime Minister for the third term and said that it is a positive indication towards the developmental journey of India. “Nalanda is not just a name, it is an identity, a regard. Nalanda is the root, it is the mantra. Nalanda is the proclamation of the truth that knowledge cannot be destroyed even though books would burn in a fire,”, the Prime Minister exclaimed.
It may be mentioned that the University has a deep connection with history. The original Nalanda University, established around 1600 years ago, is considered to be amongst the first residential universities in the world. The ruins of Nalanda were declared as a UN Heritage Site in 2016. The Prime Minister also visited the Ruins of Nalanda and posted on X: “Visiting the excavated remains of Nalanda was exemplary. It was an opportunity to be at one of the greatest seats of learning in the ancient world. This site offers a profound glimpse into the scholarly past that once thrived here. Nalanda has created an intellectual spirit that continues to thrive in our nation.”
Modi underlined that the new Nalanda University would initiate the golden age of India. He said that the revival of Nalanda near its ancient ruins will introduce India’s capabilities to the world as it will tell the world that nations with strong human values can create a better world by rejuvenating history.
He said Nalanda is a world heritage and its revival is not restricted to a revival of Indian aspects. This, he said, was evident from the presence of so many countries in today’s inauguration. He also acknowledged the contribution of the friendly nations in the Nalanda project. He also praised the people of Bihar for their determination to bring back the glory of Nalanda.
Pointing out that Nalanda was once the living centre of India’s culture and traditions, the Prime Minister said that the meaning of Nalanda is the continuous flow of knowledge and education and this has been India’s approach and thinking towards education. “Education is beyond boundaries. It inculcates values and thought while giving it shape,” the Prime Minister said and highlighted that students were admitted to the ancient Nalanda University irrespective of their identities and nationalities. He also stressed the need to strengthen the same ancient traditions in the newly inaugurated Nalanda University Campus in modern form. The Prime Minister expressed delight that students from more than 20 countries are already studying at Nalanda University and said that it is the perfect example of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family)’. He said: “The land of Nalanda can give a new dimension to this feeling of universal brotherhood. Therefore, the responsibility of the students of Nalanda is even greater.”
Modi also referred to the Nalanda Campus with its pioneering Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Emission, Net Zero Water and Net Zero Waste model will also carry forward the spirit of sustainability. The Campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus. It is self-sustainable with solar plants, domestic and drinking water treatment plants, water recycling plants for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and many other environment-friendly facilities.
It is noteworthy that the Nalanda University Campus has two Academic Blocks with 40 Classrooms having a total seating capacity of around 1900. It has two auditoriums having a capacity of 300 seats each, a student hostel with a capacity of around 550 students and various other facilities including an International Centre, an Amphitheater that can accommodate up to 2000 individuals, a Faculty Club and a Sports Complex among others.
The Prime Minister declared that his mission is to make India the centre of education and knowledge for the world. “My mission is that India should again be recognized as the most prominent knowledge centre of the world,” he asserted. He also referred to the filing of a record number of patents and research papers by Indians and a Rs. 1 lakh crore research fund.
He said his government’s efforts are to create the most comprehensive and complete skilling system along with the most advanced research-oriented higher education system in the world. He also mentioned improved performances by India’s universities in global rankings. Throwing light on the recent achievements in the field of education and skill development in the last 10 years, the Prime Minister mentioned a rise in the number of Indian educational institutions from 9 to 46 in QS Ranking and 13 to 100 in Times Higher Education Impact Ranking. Within the last 10 years in India, the Prime Minister informed that one university has been established every week, a new ITI has been established every day, an Atal Tinkering Lab has been opened every third day, and two new colleges have been established every day.
Modi further added that India is home to 23 IITs today, the number of IIMs has gone up from 13 to 21 and the number of AIIMS has risen almost three times to 22. “In 10 years, the number of medical colleges has also almost doubled”, he said.
Touching upon the reforms in the educational sector, the Prime Minister mentioned the New Education Policy and said that it has given a new dimension to the dreams of India’s youth. He also mentioned the collaboration of Indian and foreign universities and the opening up of new campuses of international universities like Deakin and Wollongong. “With all these efforts, Indian students are getting the best educational institutions in India for higher education. This is also saving money for our middle class,” he added.
Several eminent people including the Head of Missions of 17 countries attended the inauguration ceremony. The Prime Minister also planted a sapling.
Governor of Bihar, Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar, Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudary, Chancellor of Nalanda University, Prof. Arvind Panagariya, and Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, Prof Abhay Kumar Singh were present on the occasion among other dignitaries.
– global bihari bureau
