Patna, NFAPost: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University and stated that it was an opportunity to be at one of the greatest seats of learning in the ancient world and gave a perspective on the scholarly past that thrived in the region.
“Visiting the excavated remains of Nalanda was exemplary. Nalanda has created an intellectual spirit that continues to thrive in our nation. Nalanda is not just a name; it is an identity, an honor, a value, a mantra. It is pride, it is a saga. Nalanda is a proclamation of the truth that while books may burn in the flames, the flames cannot extinguish the knowledge,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
Hailing the past struggles of the varsity, the Prime Minister said that Nalanda embodies India’s identity, respect, value, and mantra. After being sworn-in as the Prime Minister for the record third term, this is Narendra Modi’s first official visit to the state.
“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 respect. Nalanda is a value and mantra…fire can burn books, but it can’t destroy knowledge,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar. The new campus of the university will be set up close to ancient ruins of the university.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a plaque at the new campus of Nalanda University and planted a sapling as he inaugurated the campus.
Built at a cost of Rs 1,749 crore, the new campus will get two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, with a total seating capacity of around 1900 students. The new campus features two auditoriums, each with a capacity of 300 seats, and a student hostel that can accommodate approximately 550 students. Additionally, the campus offers various other facilities, such as an international center, an amphitheatre with a capacity of up to 2000 individuals, a faculty club, and a sports complex.
PM Modi called Nalanda a sage, which reiterates the renowned truth that “flames may burn the books, but they cannot erase knowledge.” He said that the university does not only belong to India’s history but is also a part of Asia. “Our fellow countries have also participated in the reconstruction of the university,” he said.
Calling it the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” PM Modi said, “Students have started coming here from many countries around the world. Students from more than 20 countries are studying here in Nalanda.” Earlier, he visited the ruins of ancient Nalanda University in Bihar. The ruins were declared a United Nations Heritage site in 2016.
Rekindling India’s ties with its past, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of Nalanda University’s inauguration, said on Wednesday that the varsity will “go a long way in catering to the educational needs of the youth.”
Taking to X, PM Modi said, “It’s a very special day for our education sector. At around 10:30 AM today, the new campus of Nalanda University would be inaugurated at Rajgir. Nalanda has a strong connect with our glorious part.”
It’s a very special day for our education sector. At around 10:30 AM today, the new campus of the Nalanda University would be inaugurated at Rajgir. Nalanda has a strong connect with our glorious past. This university will surely go a long way in catering to the educational needsâ€æ pic.twitter.com/sJh6cndEve — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2024
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Nalanda University Chancellor Arvind Panagariya attended the inauguration ceremony.
After the inauguration, Jaishankar said that the ancient university “represents the revival of a global bridge of learning that can build relationships even further than in the past”.
Delighted to witness the inauguration of the new campus of the Nalanda University by Prime Minister @narendramodi today in Rajgir. @nalanda_univ today represents the revival of a global bridge of learning that can build relationships even further than in the past.
Foreign envoys from a total of 17 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, were also present at the event.
The campus is divided into two academic blocks, each with 40 classrooms and a total seating capacity of around 1900. It includes two auditoriums, each with a seating capacity of 300. It contains a student hostel with a capacity of around 550 people. It also features several additional amenities, such as an international center, an auditorium that can seat up to 2000 people, a faculty club, and a sports complex, among others.
