Prime Minister Narendra unveiled the statue of Swami Vivekananda at JNU (File)Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus via video conferencing.
“When we were oppressed during colonialism, Swami Vivekananda went to Michigan University in the earlier part of the last century & had said that even though this century is yours, next century will belong to India. It is our responsibility to realise this statement vision,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during the event.
He also said he hopes that the statue instils courage and compassion that Swami Vivekananda wanted to see in everyone
The event was also attended by Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and JNU vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar.
Earlier today, talking to media ahead of the unveiling, JNU vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar said that the JNU fraternity is “very happy that Swami Vivekananda’s statue will be inaugurated today by our PM”.
However, the invitation to Modi, even virtual, has miffed the JNUSU which is all set to protest on campus. They believe the Modi government “openly supported” violence on campuses and is attacking universities with the National Education Policy which will result in fund cuts and privatisation of education.
Read | What you need to know about the Vivekananda statue that Modi is unveiling at JNU today
Talking about India's new National Education Policy, Prime Minister Narendra said: " Swami Vivekananda wanted that education in the country should be such that it provides self-confidence to individuals and makes them Aatmanirbhar in every way. New National Education Policy is on the same line and has inclusion at its core."
"India's youth is the 'brand ambassador' of 'brand India' today globally. Our youth is representative of our country's culture and traditions around the world," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the event.
"When we were oppressed during colonialism, Swami Vivekananda went to Michigan University in the earlier part of the last century & had said that even though this century is yours, next century will belong to India. It is our responsibility to realise this statement vision," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
"Our country is moving ahead with the resolve of self-reliance. It is now part of the collective consciousness of 130 crore Indians," PM Modi said after unveiling the statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus.
Unveiling the statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: 'I hope this statue teaches us intense love for our country. I hope it inspire our country to move ahead with a vision of youth-led-development'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus, via video conferencing. JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar, Dr Ramesh Pokriyal Nishank, Minister of Education also present.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually unveils a life-sized statue of Swami Vivekananda in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus Thursday evening, we look back at its history and the reasons behind its installation.
*It was on June 30, 2017, that JNU’s Executive Council (EC) first gave approval for the statue. The administration said it was installing the statue to give the campus a more “pleasing look” as Vivekananda had contributed to “nation-building”.
*Once the news was put out in the public domain, all through the remaining part of 2017 and the whole 2018, the administration remained mum on who was funding the statue and how much it would cost. More details on the height of the statue or where exactly it would be constructed was also not revealed.
*In November 2019, the JNU administration filed a police complaint saying the statue, which had been kept covered by a saffron veil, had allegedly been defaced and messages were written “particularly directed towards a political party and a group of people donning saffron-coloured clothes”. Click here to read more.
The invitation to PM Modi, even virtual, has miffed the JNUSU which is all set to protest on campus. They believe the Modi government “openly supported” violence on campuses and is attacking universities with the National Education Policy which will result in fund cuts and privatisation of education.
Visuals from JNU
Talking to media ahead of the unveiling, JNU vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar said that the JNU fraternity is “very happy that Swami Vivekananda’s statue will be inaugurated today by our PM”.
“I’m very confident that teachings of Swami Vivekananda will be followed by JNU and the university will remain an active partner in transforming our country into Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday will be unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus via video conferencing at 6:30 pm.