Nalanda: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday, highlighting the significance of the revival of Nalanda near its ancient ruins. PM Modi emphasised that this revival will showcase India’s capabilities to the world and demonstrate how nations grounded in strong human values can rejuvenate history to create a better future.
#WATCH | Nalanda, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a plaque at the new campus of Nalanda University as he inaugurates the campus. The PM also planted a sapling here. pic.twitter.com/LUtRN02Jxy
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2024
“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.
#WATCH | Bihar: At the inauguration of the new campus of Nalanda University, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, ” I am happy that I got the opportunity to visit Nalanda within 10 days after swearing in as PM for the 3rd time…Nalanda is not just a name, it is an identity and… pic.twitter.com/jjZL7gWqDW
— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2024
He underlined that the establishment of the new Nalanda University would initiate a golden age of India. PM Modi stressed that Nalanda carries the heritage of the world, Asia and many countries and its revival is not restricted to the revival of Indian aspects. This is evident from the presence of so many countries in today’s inauguration, he added acknowledging the contribution of the friendly nations in the Nalanda project.
He also praised the people of Bihar for their determination to bring back its glory which is reflected in 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, highlighting 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 Prime Minister highlighted the Indian tradition of treating education as a tool of human welfare. He mentioned the upcoming International Yoga Day and said that Yoga Day has become an international festival.
The Prime Minister said despite developing so many strands of Yoga, no one in India expressed any monopoly over Yoga. PM Modi also underlined India’s devotion to sustainability and said that in India, we have carried progress and environment together. This allowed India to provide initiatives like Mission LiFE and International Solar Alliance.
He said the Nalanda Campus with its pioneering Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Emission, Net Zero Water and Net Zero Waste model will carry forward the spirit of sustainability. The Prime Minister emphasized that the development of education leads to the deepening of the roots of the economy and culture. This is borne out by the global experience and experience of the developed countries.
The Prime Minister noted initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs catering to more than a crore children, interest in science generated by Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan, and Startup India leading to 1.30 lakh startups in India from a few hundred 10 years ago.
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 said 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. He 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.
PM Modi 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,” PM Modi added.
The Prime Minister underlined that the world’s eyes are fixed on the youth of India. “India is the country of Lord Buddha, and the world wishes to walk shoulder to shoulder with the mother of democracy”, the Prime Minister continued, “When India says ‘One Earth, One Family, and One Future’, the world stands with it. When India says ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’, it is considered the way of the future for the world. When India says One Earth One Health, the world respects and accepts its views.
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 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.
(With ANI inputs)
