Quote"Gujarat Chief Minister valedictory address at the Prof Bhikhu Parekh Seminar at Gandhinagar"

Gandhinagar, Wednesday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today called for synergy between the storehouses of knowledge in the universities with the human resources for nation building.

He recalled that universities at Nalanda, Taxashila and Vallabhi are 1,800 years old. Ironically, theses centres of excellence had maintained their distinction even during the 800 years of invasions in the medieval period, but unfortunately lost the soul and spirit in the post-Independence period.

Mr. Modi was addressing the valedictory function of the Prof Bhikhu Parekh Seminar on ‘Qualitative Improvement in Higher Education’, organized by Gujarat Government’s Higher Education Department, at Mahatma Mandir here.

Seminar on ‘Qualitative Improvement in Higher Education’

He called for the need to free the universities from the burden of administrative rigmarole to let them focus on teaching and research. He listed the areas in which India could excel and bridge the huge gap – notably in defence equipment, shipping and automobile sectors. He said that Gujarat Government has introduced training programmes for skill development, raising the importance of it is in Gujarat.

Mr. Modi drew comparison of today’s seminal seminar to invoke new ideas for higher education in the 21st Century with Swami Vivekanand’s spiritual speech eulogizing India’s spirit of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ that inspired America this day in the 19th Century – in sharp contrast to the inhuman terror attack that shocked America this day in the 20th Century.

He suggested the universities became self-reliant, shared their knowledge in events like Krishi Mahotsav and Jyotigram projects. He suggested law students take internship while learning and engineering students’ exposure in development projects, he asked. There is need to link the universities to explosion of knowledge around the world.

Lord Bhikhu Parekh welcomed the initiative to improve quality of higher education through at seminars through discussion. He inspired the students to go abroad for higher studies and research, exchange of faculties between Indian and foreign universities.

Others who spoke and attended the one-day seminar included Gujarat’s Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma, Industries Minister Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Education Vasuben Trivedi, vice-chancellors and registrar of universities, academics and researchers.

Seminar on ‘Qualitative Improvement in Higher Education’

Seminar on ‘Qualitative Improvement in Higher Education’

Explore More
140 crore Indians have taken a collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi on Independence Day

Popular Speeches

140 crore Indians have taken a collective resolve to build a Viksit Bharat: PM Modi on Independence Day
Modi’s welfare policies led to significant women empowerment, says SBI report

Media Coverage

Modi’s welfare policies led to significant women empowerment, says SBI report
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
On the occasion of National Youth Day, PM to participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 on 12th January
January 10, 2025
QuotePM to interact with 3000 young leaders selected through a merit-based, multi-level selection process from over 30 lakh participants
QuoteYoung leaders to make presentations to PM, reflecting innovative ideas and solutions to address some of India's most pressing challenges
QuoteIn a unique initiative, youth to get an opportunity to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations directly to PM during lunch

On the occasion of National Youth Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 on 12th January, at around 10 AM, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. He will engage with 3,000 dynamic young leaders from across India. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue aims to break the 25 year old tradition of holding the National Youth Festival in a conventional manner. It aligns with the Prime Minister's Independence Day call to engage 1 lakh youth in politics without political affiliations and provide them a national platform to make their ideas for Viksit Bharat, a reality. In line with this, on this National Youth Day, Prime Minister will participate in multiple activities designed to inspire, motivate, and empower the nation's future leaders. Innovative young leaders will make ten powerpoint presentations representing the ten thematic areas pivotal to India’s development before the Prime Minister. These presentations reflect the innovative ideas and solutions proposed by young leaders to address some of India's most pressing challenges.

Prime Minister will also release a compilation of best essays written by participants on the ten themes. These themes encompass diverse areas such as technology, sustainability, women empowerment, manufacturing, and agriculture.

In a unique setting, Prime Minister will join the young leaders for lunch, providing them an opportunity to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations directly to him. This personal interaction will bridge the gap between governance and youth aspirations, fostering a deeper sense of ownership and responsibility among the participants.

During the Dialogue, which is starting from 11th January, the young leaders will engage in competitions, activities, and cultural and thematic presentations. It will also include deliberations on the themes led by mentors and domain experts. It will also witness cultural performances showcasing India's artistic heritage while symbolizing its modern advancements.

The 3,000 dynamic and motivated youth have been selected to participate in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, through the Viksit Bharat Challenge, a meticulously crafted, merit-based multi level selection process to identify and showcase the most motivated and dynamic young voices from across the nation. It included three stages with participants ranging from 15 - 29 years. The first stage, Viksit Bharat Quiz, was conducted in 12 languages for youth from all states to take part, and saw participation of around 30 lakh young minds. Qualified quiz participants progressed to the 2nd stage, essay round, where they articulated their ideas on ten pivotal themes critical to realizing the vision of a "Viksit Bharat", which saw over 2 lakh essays being submitted. In the 3rd stage, State Rounds, 25 candidates per theme advanced to participate in rigorous in-person competitions. Each state identified its top three participants from each track, forming dynamic teams for the national event in Delhi.

1,500 participants from the Viksit Bharat Challenge Track, representing the top 500 teams from State Championships; 1,000 participants from the Traditional Track, chosen through state-level youth festivals, cultural programs, and exhibitions on innovation in science and technology; and 500 Pathbreakers, invited for their groundbreaking contributions in different areas will be participating in the Dialogue.