Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University today, hailing it as a symbol of India’s rich heritage and a beacon of knowledge.
Addressing a gathering, PM Modi expressed his pride in visiting Nalanda so soon after taking office again. ‘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,’ he stated, emphasizing the university’s enduring legacy.
He underscored that the university’s significance extends beyond India’s borders, highlighting contributions from fellow countries in its reconstruction, embodying the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
‘Students have started coming here from many countries around the world. Students from more than 20 countries are studying here in Nalanda,’ PM Modi noted, showcasing the university’s growing international appeal.
Prior to the inauguration, PM Modi visited the ruins of ancient Nalanda University, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016. He remarked on the importance of rekindling India’s ties with its past, emphasizing that the new campus will significantly address the educational needs of the youth.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Nalanda University Chancellor Arvind Panagariya attended the inauguration. Jaishankar highlighted the university’s role in reviving a “global bridge of learning” that promises to foster even stronger international relationships.
Foreign envoys from 17 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, were also present at the event.
The new campus, located in Rajgir, features two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, accommodating around 1,900 students. It includes two auditoriums, each seating 300 people, a student hostel for 550 residents, an international center, a large auditorium with a 2,000-person capacity, a faculty club, and a sports complex, among other facilities.
PM Modi took to social media platform X to express his sentiments, calling it a special day for the education sector and highlighting Nalanda’s strong connection to India’s glorious past.
The inauguration of the new campus marks a significant milestone in the revitalization of Nalanda University, reinforcing its position as a prominent center of learning and cultural exchange.
