Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the new campus
of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar. With this, after centuries, Nalanda
University has stood up to spread knowledge in the whole world. The new campus
of Nalanda, built at a cost of 1749 crores in 455 acres, is not just a concrete
building, but the construction of this building has revived the glorious
history of our country. This is an important step towards the goal of making
India a world leader, through which a new history is sure to be created along
with awakening the spirit of knowledge in the whole world.
Just ten days after taking oath as Prime Minister for the
third time, Modi has gone to the program of Nalanda University. Modi's visit to
Nalanda is not spontaneous but it is a decision taken by him after a lot of
thought, discussion and contemplation. Now it is not hidden from anyone that
whatever decision Modi takes, there is some big purpose behind it. Modi is
giving the message of moving forward to the country on the pretext of Nalanda.
The revival of Nalanda, which became the ocean of knowledge
for the whole world centuries ago and was burnt to ashes and destroyed by the
invaders, is a very big and revolutionary step. After the construction of Shri
Ram temple, Nalanda has become another example of the revival of our nation.
There is something that our existence does not fade away.
The construction of a new building near the ruins of the
ancient university in Nalanda is making us proud. Although buildings are built
every day, but this new construction in Nalanda is unique, it is a matter of
pride for the country. In Nalanda, Modi has also said that "I see Nalanda
as an auspicious sign for India's development journey. Nalanda is not just a
name. Nalanda is an identity, an honour. Nalanda is a value, Nalanda is a
mantra, a pride, a saga. Nalanda is the proclamation of the truth that books
may burn in the flames but the flames cannot erase knowledge. The destruction
of Nalanda had filled India with darkness. Now its restoration is going to
start the golden age of India.''
Modi has spoken the truth because the invaders destroyed the
splendour of Nalanda thrice. It was rebuilt twice. In the 12th century,
Bakhtiar Khilji, the commander of Qutubuddin Aibak, set fire to the library of
Nalanda University which had millions of books. According to historians, this
destructive fire raged for three months, due to which everything was destroyed
there.
The fire set in Nalanda was not an attempt to destroy any
building or library, but an attempt to hurt the pride of India because the
Nalanda University, established in the 5th century AD in the ancient Magadh
Empire (modern Bihar), was famous all over the world. Ten thousand students
from all over the world studied here. As the world's first residential
university, the grandeur of Nalanda University attracted scholars from all over
the world, including China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and South
East Asia. Subjects like medicine, Ayurveda, Buddhism, mathematics, grammar,
astronomy and Indian philosophy were taught at Nalanda. Aryabhatta, the pioneer
of Indian mathematics and inventor of zero, was one of the eminent teachers of
Nalanda during the sixth century AD. According to historians, admission in
Nalanda was not easy centuries ago. Students seeking admission here had to go
through a tough interview process.
All this was so grand that demonic forces and those with
destructive thinking could not see it. Demonic forces tried from time to time
to destroy our grandeur and make us disappointed, frustrated and hurt. In the
past, the time cycle moved in such a way that demonic forces became dominant.
Due to foreign invaders, adverse conditions prevailed in the country for a long
period. The invaders destroyed huge buildings like our Nalanda. Attempts were
made to destroy our existence but how could they erase knowledge? How could
they erase the knowledge which is in our natural instincts? The invaders who
temporarily demolished the buildings went away happily but just as the seven
rays of the sun illuminate the environment once the darkness of the dark clouds
clears, the light of education has once again started emanating from Nalanda
University, designated as an institute of national importance and excellence.
Prime Minister Modi has expressed confidence that Nalanda
will become an important centre of global interest. Modi's mission is to make
India a centre of education and knowledge for the world and to be recognised as
the foremost knowledge centre in the world once again, but how this mission
will be accomplished needs to be thought about. Nalanda University is a symbol
of India's educational heritage and vibrant cultural exchange. Nalanda's rise
again is certainly a moment of joy. This will become an inspiration for our
educational upliftment, but Nalanda's inspiration will be useful only when we
work dedicatedly for educational upliftment. Only educational upliftment can
make the concept of a developed India a reality.
I have been a professor at Delhi University for more than
four decades. Due to my long experience as a teacher, I believe that education
and development complement each other. Every stage of development can be
reached only by climbing the ladder of education. If we want to see India as a
developed country by the year 2047 on the occasion of completion of 100 years
of independence, then this is possible only due to education but it is not so
simple and easy. For this, a lot of work will have to be done for the
universities of the country. Government universities will have to be energized.
All the states will have to compete to strengthen the structure of their
respective universities. The condition of education and government universities
in the country from primary education to post-graduation is very worrying.
Education has been ignored in the seventy years after
independence. Adequate provisions for education were not made in the budget.
This is the reason why our government universities and other higher
institutions lagged behind. In our country, private universities are
continuously expanding, earning money but on the contrary, universities funded
by UGC are lagging behind. The infrastructure of most of our universities is
not strong. They lack world-class smart class rooms. There is a lack of good
auditoriums, libraries, academic blocks and excellent labs. In India, which was
the main centre of education in the entire world in ancient times, in India
where the most important and famous Nalanda University, one of the first
universities of higher education in the world, was established, the current
condition of universities in that India is worth thinking about. Because of
this, higher education in the country is lagging behind in terms of quality.
Children of rich people go abroad for higher education and settle down there
after making a career. Children of common people are facing exploitation in
private universities. If the condition of universities with UGC funding is
improved, the situation can be changed. This is possible only when we bring our
universities into the world rankings. We will work towards making them big
brands.
However, the Modi government has started efforts for
educational upliftment. The new education policy is proof of this. Modi
believes that "when education develops, the roots of economy and culture
also become strong." If we look at the developed countries, we will find
that they became economic and cultural leaders only when they became
educational leaders. Today, students from all over the world want to go to
those countries and study. Once such a situation used to exist in our
institutions like Nalanda and Vikramshila.''
Modi has a vision, he is doing extensive work and is
restoring the country's glory. The period in which we are living now is a
period of revolutionary, glorious and big positive changes for India. The whole
world is accepting our culture. People are inclined towards India's glorious
and ancient culture. Even the youth who were attracted towards western culture
are adopting our culture again. Modi's dream is to make India a world leader.
This dream can come true with the help of education. Today, Nalanda has risen
again. On the same lines, universities of the entire country should be taken
forward on the path of progress. This work cannot be done by leaving it to the
government or the concerned university administration. For this, everyone will
have to work together.
(The author is a well known educationist, thinker and
speaker. He has been a professor at Delhi University for 44 years. Views are
personal. Email: profmcguptadelhi@gmail.com)
