R ARIVANANTHAM
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI, JAN 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invoked the ‘Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom’ (புதியதோர் உலகம் செய்வோம்) Tamil verses of poet Bharathidasan, after whom the university had been named, to make the years till 2047 the most important in our history. He also said that the ancient Indian civilisation has always been centered around knowledge.
Addressing the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University on Tuesday, PM Modi said that he was very happy to be visiting the ‘beautiful state’ of Tamil Nadu and engaging the state’s youth.
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“Being here at the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University is special for me. This happens to be my first public interaction of 2024. I am happy to be in the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu and among all you young people. I am the first Prime Minister to have the privilege of coming here at the convocation. I congratulate the students who are graduating from here today and would also take this opportunity to commend their parents,” Prime Minister Modi said.
https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1742098519283093901
Bringing up ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda and Takshashila universities, PM Modi said, “Our nation and civilisation have always been centered around knowledge. Some of our ancient universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila are well known and regarded for their grandeur and excellence even today. There have also been references in our celebrated ancient texts to places such as Kanchipuram housing great universities and centres of learning. Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Madurai were also great seats of learning in the ancient times.”
“Indian innovators took the number of patents from around 4,000 in 2014 to almost 50,000 now,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said addressing the convocation ceremony of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister quoted the ‘Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom’ (புதியதோர் உலகம் செய்வோம்) Tamil verses of poet Bharathidasan, after whom the university had been named, and said it meant creating a brave new world which is also the university’s motto. Modi said the Indian youth were already creating such a world. The Indian scientists are on the world map through missions like Chandrayaan.
“India’s ‘humanity scholars are showcasing the India story to the world like never before. Also, the nation’s musicians and artists were continuously bringing international awards for the country,” he said.
Modi underlined that giving back to the people for a better society and country is the true purpose of education. “Youth means energy, it means the ability to work with speed, skill and scale. In the last few years, we have worked to match you in speed and scale, so that we can benefit you.”
In the last 10 years, the number of airports has doubled from 74 to nearly 150. “Tamil Nadu has a vibrant coastline so you would be happy to know that the total cargo handling capacity of major ports in India has doubled since 2014.”
The speed of road and highway construction in the country has almost doubled in the last 10 years. The number of registered startups in the country has grown to almost one lakh; this was less than 100 in 2014.
India has also seen a number of trade deals with important economies and such deals will open up new markets for our goods and services. They also create countless new opportunities for youths, he said.
“Whether it is institutions like the G-20, fighting against climate change or playing a bigger role in the global supply chain, India is being welcomed as a part of every global solution. In many ways, due to local and global factors, this is the best time to be young in India. Make the most of this time to take our country to new heights,” Modi said.
Underscoring the importance of constant learning, re-skilling and upskilling, he said in a rapidly transforming world, “either you drive change or change drives you”.
Modi is the first prime Minister to address the convocation ceremony of the varsity, established in 1982. In a very brief interaction with a group of students, he asked if anyone was interested to go to Delhi, to which two women students raised their hands and smiled.
The Prime Minister paid floral tributes to a bust of Bharathidasan (1891-1964), hailed as revolutionary Tamil poet at the University campus.
Governor of Tamil Nadu and Chancellor of Bharathidasan University RN Ravi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin, Vice Chancellor Dr M Selvam, and Pro-Chancellor RS Rajakannappan were present on the occasion.
