At the new Nalanda University campus’s Wednesday opening in the Rajgir region of Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to it as a “symbol of India’s vibrant cultural exchange and academic heritage.”
In addition to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished figures and ambassadors from over twelve different countries.
One of the oldest universities in the world has built its new campus next to the historic remains of Nalanda University.
PM Modi stated that the institution is more than just a name; it is an identity for the nation after officially opening the campus.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said: “I got the opportunity to come to Nalanda in the first 10 days after taking the oath for the third term. This is not only my good fortune, but I also see it as an auspicious sign of India’s development journey.”
“Nalanda is an identity, an honour, a value, a mantra, a pride, and a saga. It is the proclamation of truth that books may be burned in the flames, but it can’t erase knowledge,” PM Modi further said.
The prime minister advocated for enhancing the historic university’s heritage and turning it into a cutting-edge learning hub where students could study and take advantage of its wealth of knowledge.
“Children were not admitted to ancient Nalanda on the basis of their identity or their nationality. There are youth from every class in every country here. In this new campus of Nalanda University, we have to strengthen the same ancient system again in a modern form, and I am happy to see that many students have started coming here from many countries of the world today,” PM Modi stated.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said: “Today, I am very happy to see that Nalanda University has become fully functional. Currently, 400 students from 17 countries are studying here.”
“All the buildings and campus for the university have expanded a lot and have also become very beautiful. I am thankful to PM Narendra Modi who came and inaugurated the new campus,” Nitish Kumar added.
Rajgir was the Magadh Empire’s original capital, according to the chief minister of Bihar. It was formerly called Rajgriha and is still a meeting place for five different religions.