PM Modi: Nalanda University identity of India’s development journey

“I take Nalanda University as the identity of India’s development journey… Nalanda University is a proclamation of the fact that knowledge cannot be destroyed by fire. The Renaissance of Nalanda will tell the world about India’s capacity,” Modi said while exuding confidence that India will become a global hub for knowledge and education and that the country was looking forward to playing its role in the 21st century, “which belongs to Asia”, by becoming a developed country by 2047.

Nalanda University that had started functioning from 2014 had almost become fully functional by 2022. The architecture of the university, situated on a sprawling 455 acres of land, fuses both the modern and ancient.

Modi reached the venue after spending a few minutes at the ruins of the ‘Nalanda Mahavihara’, a UNESCO world heritage site close to the university.

The University is a no-vehicle zone, with visitors, students and faculty having to walk or use bicycles within the campus. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

He underscored that history was proof that all developed countries became economic and cultural leaders only after they made a mark in the field of education. “Our country, too, enjoyed such a status in the ancient times when seats of learning like Nalanda and Vikramshila were flourishing,” said Modi. “Today, once again, the world is looking at India and its youth… The world wants to move along with this land of Buddha, the mother of democracy,” he said.

The PM also praised the people of Bihar and the state government for their efforts towards revival of Nalanda University.

“I expect a perennial flow of knowledge from this institution… Just as the ancient Nalanda University did not see nationality during admission of students from across the world, the new university would do the same. I am very happy to know that students from 20 countries study here,” he said.

The University offers Post Graduate and Doctoral research courses and short-term certificate courses. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

During the event, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar recalled how former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had first come up with the idea of a new Nalanda University and the Centre enacted a law in 2010. “After the NDA government took over, Nalanda University got momentum and we are very happy that the PM is here today to open its campus. The state government is always willing to do everything for the betterment of Nalanda University,” Kumar said.

The PM said that on an average, India has witnessed setting up of one university every week in the last 10 years, along with establishment of an industrial training institute every 10 days.

“There has been a new Atal Tinkering Lab every second day, two new colleges every day. We have 23 IITs. The number of IIMs has reached 21, from only 13 a decade ago. Major reforms are going on in the education sector. The National Education Policy has given flight to the dreams of our younger generation. Our universities are collaborating with counterparts abroad,” Modi said. —With PTI inputs