PM Modi Attends 38th Convocation of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirapalli

“Universities play a crucial role in giving direction to any nation,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while attending the 38th Convocation of Bharathidasan University at Tiruchirapalli. When universities are vibrant, our nation and civilisation are vibrant and when our nation is attacked, our knowledge systems are targeted immediately, the PM added. “In the early part of the 20th century, people like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Sir Annamalai Chettiar started universities. These were hubs of knowledge and nationalism during the freedom struggle,” he said.

The PM further added that one of the factors behind the rise of India today is the rise of our universities. “Our universities are also entering global rankings in record numbers. Your university has awarded degrees to many of you today. Your teachers, family, friends, everyone is happy for you. If you are seen outside wearing your graduation gown, people will congratulate you even if they don’t know you,” he said.

He also expressed happiness about being the first Prime Minister to have “the privilege of coming to a convocation” at the Bharathidasan University. “I congratulate the graduating students, their parents and teachers on this important occasion,” he said.

He further spoke about some of the ancient well-known universities including Nalanda and Vikramashila. He added, “Rabindranath Tagore said that the highest education does not give us just information. But it helps us to live in harmony with all existence.”

By learning, every graduate can help contribute to creating a developed India by 2047, the prime minister said. “I am confident in the ability of young people to make the years till 2047 the most important in our history,” he added. In the last 10 years, the number of registered start-ups in the country has grown to almost 1 lakh. This was less than one hundred in 2014. “In many ways, due to the local and global factors, this is the best time to be a young Indian. Make the most of this time and take our country to new heights,” he told the students.