New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi addressed the centenary celebrations of Visva-Bharati University over a video conference today at 11 am. Other dignitaries at the event included West Bengal Governor and Rector of Visva-Bharati Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, and Union Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre. A total of 2,535 students received their degrees in this ceremony.

The PM and chancellor of the University, Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for inviting him. He illustrated the historic events in the name of our country that bought great laurels to the nation. 

Here are few highlights of the address

Visva Bharati University was established in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore. The PM terms ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ an essence of Tagore’s vision for which Visva Bharati stands as a constant source of energy. 

The PM expressed India’s pinnacle across the world in environmental protection through the International Solar Alliance.

Highlighting the contemplation of India from Vedas to Vivekananda which has helped India progress over a period of time; he reminisced about the national movements and credited them to instil intellectual strength and courage to fight for our rights. He lionized the efforts by the educational institutes in the past to bring forth a bright and successful future. 

Speaking of fights against slavery and imperialism, he recollected the armed struggles of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, Rani Laxmibai, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, Lord Birsa Munda.

Channelling devotion was a huge effort by devotee Ramakrishna Paramahamsa whose personality gifted India with Swami Vivekananda into existence.

According to him, the Bhakti Movement was our door, which led to freedom and laid the foundation of metastasizing across the globe.