Last Update: February 26, 2023, 16:59 IST
Rajnath Singh said Bengal has “two centers of pilgrimage – one Ganga Sagar and the other Visva Bharati” (File photo/PTI)
Rajnath Singh called upon the youth to set up new companies, research establishments and start-ups to give new impetus to the Government’s efforts towards making India a more powerful and self-reliant nation.
Describing Visva Bharati as a “temple of learning”, where India Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday urged the students of the institute to become humanists like its founder Rabindranath Tagore, whose thoughts and philosophy continue to influence Indian society.
Singh, who presided over the annual convocation of the central university as the chief guest, also said that Bengal has “two centers of pilgrimage – one Ganga Sagar and the other Visva Bharati”.
Addressing the students and faculty members, he said, “Tagore showed us that our nationalism cannot be regional; It should be based on our pluralistic culture. He established this place to inculcate the values of humanism in the children.
“Indian nationalism is all-inclusive, inspired by universal welfare. Visva-Bharati is an indicator of this spirit,” said the minister.
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He called upon the youth to set up new companies, research establishments and start-ups to give new impetus to the government’s efforts towards making India a more powerful and self-reliant nation.
The ability to move forward in a balanced manner without getting distracted is the key to success, he urged the students not to let arrogance or ego come in their way.
“Equal importance should be given to character building, knowledge and wealth. The stronger you are, the stronger our country will be.
The minister emphasized that the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will lead to holistic development of young minds.
“The future of a child depends on its upbringing. Tagore’s Visva-Bharati tells us what this path should be like – in the lap of nature, free from the confines of prison-like rooms.
“Whatever you become in life – scientist, engineer, reformist, social scientist or artist – you must imbibe the values Gurudev enunciated,” he said.
Recalling the words of social reformer Gopal Krishna Gokhale – “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow” – Singh said, “To lead the nation, the state needs to reawaken in areas like science and technology. ” Singh also said that Tagore believed in bringing change through social reforms and women empowerment.
He said India is following the ‘Marg Darshan’ of the “great humanitarian” as it moves forward.
Gurudev embodied Indian nationalism; He was the person who returned the knighthood honor given to him by the British rulers after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
“He was also in favor of modern industrial revolution, for which science and technology go hand in hand,” the Union minister said.
Union Minister of State for Education Subhash Sarkar, who was present at the function, said that NEP, 2020 emphasizes the need to build a futuristic knowledge system based on the rich cultural system of ancient India.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Vidyut Chakraborty said that Tagore’s ideals and vision are an integral part of Visva Bharati’s day-to-day functioning.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)