Fire can't destroy knowledge: PM Modi at Nalanda university campus

PATNA: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Wednesday a new Nalanda University campus near the ruins of the institution's ancient avatar in Bihar's Rajgir, saying his two-pronged mission is to make India a developed nation by 2047 and re-establish the country as the "foremost knowledge hub in the world".
"Nalanda is not just a name. It is an identity, an honour, a value, a mantra, and a saga," said Modi, highlighting that despite the destruction of the ancient university's libraries by invaders in the 12th century, the essence of knowledge remains indestructible.
"The emergence of the new Nalanda University shows fire can destroy books but not knowledge," he said during the event attended by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, and representatives from 17 countries.
Highlighting the broader significance, Modi said: "My mission is to see India become the centre of education and knowledge for the world. My mission is that India should again be recognised as the most prominent knowledge centre of the world." He asserted that India is "transforming its education system" as part of its mission to become a developed nation on the 100th year of its independence.
The original university in Nalanda, established around 1,600 years ago, was one of the world's first residential universities, attracting scholars from around the globe. It flourished for 800 years before its destruction.
Modi said students from over 20 countries are currently studying at the new university, which he described as a shining example of "Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam" (the world is one family). He hoped the university would become a centre for cultural exchange. The PM also detailed his govt's achievements in education over the past decade, mentioning the increase in Indian institutions in global rankings.
"During this period, one university came up every week, a new ITI established every day, an Atal Tinkering Lab opened every third day while two new colleges set up every day," Modi said, adding India currently has 23 IITs. The number of IIMs has increased from 13 to 21, while the number of AIIMS has nearly tripled to 22, he said.
"India is the country of Lord Buddha, and the world wishes to walk shoulder to shoulder with the mother of democracy," Modi said, suggesting that Nalanda could offer a new dimension to the concept of universal brotherhood.
Earlier in the day, the PM toured the ruins of Nalanda, a Unesco Heritage Site since 2016. "...Nalanda has created an intellectual spirit that continues to thrive in our nation," he tweeted later.
Modi planted a Bodhi tree sapling on the new campus. The campus boasts two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, two auditoriums, a student hostel, an international centre, an amphitheatre, a faculty club, and a sports complex. It is designed as a "net zero green campus" with sustainable features such as a solar plant, water treatment facilities, and extensive water bodies.