Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sought to revive the ancient Nalanda University spirit, positioning India as a global education hub by promoting higher learning and research.
While addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day, PM Modi stated that under the new education policy, he aims to build institutions where people from abroad come to India.
“Recently, we have rebuilt Nalanda University in Bihar. Nalanda University has started functioning once again. But in the field of education, we must once again awaken that centuries-old Nalanda spirit. We need to live that Nalanda spirit and work with great faith in it to give new consciousness to the traditions of knowledge in the world,” he said.
“Under the new education policy, we want to develop an education system in the country such that our youth do not have to go abroad, and middle-class families do not have to spend lakhs and crores of rupees. We want to build such institutions here where people from abroad come to India,” the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister also urged the nation to work towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. He noted that 40 crore Indians showed strength and courage to drive away the British decades ago.
“Before independence, 40 crore Indians showed courage, dedication, and bravery, moving with one motto and breaking the shackles of colonial rule despite all adversities. Their only goal was freedom. If 40 crore Indians could achieve this, then the 140 crore Indians of my family can accomplish wonders. If we take one pledge, despite all challenges, we can make a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047,” PM Modi said.
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“Now is the time to strive for Viksit Bharat 2047, and we Indians are determined. We must become self-reliant in every field. It is the determination of the Indians that drives my resolve. India can become a developed nation by 2047. There was a time when people had a do-or-die attitude, and we gained freedom. Now, we must have the strength to live for the nation, and that can make a strong India,” he added.
Earlier in June this year, PM Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir and said that the revival of Nalanda will mark the beginning of the ‘Golden Age’ of India. He added that the new campus of the university would introduce the world to India’s capability.
“I am happy that I had the opportunity to visit Nalanda within 10 days after swearing in as PM for the third time. Nalanda is more than just a name; it’s a mantra, an identity, a declaration that books might get destroyed in fire, but knowledge persists. The revival of Nalanda will mark the beginning of the Golden Age of India. Nalanda’s reawakening, this new campus, will give the world an introduction to India’s capability,” PM Modi had said.
This year’s celebration marks the 11th time PM Modi has addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, making him the third Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to achieve this milestone. The theme for this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ aiming to drive the Government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
(INPUTS FROM ANI)
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