Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurated New Nalanda University Campus Close to the Ancient Ruins of Nalanda in Bihar
On June 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University just beside the site of the ancient ruins of Nalanda in Rajgir, Bihar. After visiting the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, he inaugurated the new campus located less than 20 km from the ruins and asserted that a golden era would begin with the rebuilding and reopening of the ancient university of the world. He added that the new Nalanda University would help him achieve his two-pronged mission to include India in the list of developed countries by 2047. According to him, “Nalanda is not just a name. It is an identity, an honour, a value, a mantra, and a saga”.
The invaders destroyed the university along with the university’s libraries and burned over 90000 books that took 3 days to ablaze. The reopening of the university at its new campus after 832 years proves that the essence of knowledge always remains indestructible.
He added that it will bear the legacy and emblem of India’s academic heritage and rich cultural exchange. In an emotional moment, while delivering his speech, he said that Nalanda stands for the truth to prove that the fire of flames can burn books but these cannot destroy knowledge. The invaders destroyed the university along with the university’s libraries and burned over 90000 books that took 3 days to ablaze. The reopening of the university at its new campus after 832 years proves that the essence of knowledge always remains indestructible. The emergence of the new Nalanda University from its death and destruction is like a phoenix bird that gets new life from the ashes of its predecessor.
Nalana is a cultural heritage, an ancient educational hub and an identity of India. It is an identity, a respect, and a pride for all Indians. Along with many dignified figures, educationists from India and abroad, ambassadors from 17 countries, Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar and the chief minister of the state of Bihar Mr Nitish Kumar were present at this auspicious inauguration event.
During delivering his speech at the inauguration event, the Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar said “Today, we are here to witness the revival of a global bridge of learning that can build relationships even further than in the past. Education, training and capacity building are the most effective ways of promoting international understanding.”
Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, said “The Nalanda University has a glorious history. In ancient times, Nalanda University was identified as the centre of education.”
