The PM while addressing the convocation quoted the poem of Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore on Veer Shivaji which inspired him and called for unity of India. PM stressed that the students and the faculty were not just a part of a university, but also bearers of a vibrant tradition. He said Gurudev named the University as Visva Bharati meaning Global University since he expected that anyone who comes to learn in Visva Bharati will see the whole world from the point of view of India and Indianness. So he made Visva Bharati such a place to learn, which can be seen in the rich heritage of India. He gave a call for assimilating and researching about the Indian heritage and working towards solving the problems of the poorest of the poor.
He said Visva Bharati for Gurudev Tagore was not just a knowledge imparting institution but an attempt to reach the topmost goal of Indian culture, which is to achieve oneself.
Modi said Gurudev believed that we have to discover ourselves among the varied Ideologies and differences. PM said that Tagore used to be proud of Bengal but at the same time, he was equally proud of India's diversity. And it was due to Gurudev's vision that humanity thrives under the open sky of Santiniketan. He praised Visva Bharati as an unending sea of knowledge in itself, the foundation of which was laid for experience-based education. He said there is no limit to creativity and knowledge. It was with this thought that Gurudev founded this great university.
PM urged the students to always remember that knowledge, thought and skill are not static but a dynamic and continuous process. He said responsibility comes with knowledge and power. Just as one has to be restrained and sensitive while in power, every scholar also has to be responsible towards those who do not have knowledge.
The Prime Minister, while addressing the students said, your knowledge is not only yours but society's and is the heritage of the country. Your knowledge and skill can make a nation proud or can push society into the darkness of slander and ruin. He said many who are spreading terror and violence across the world are highly educated, highly skilled. On the other hand there are people who are risking their lives and stationed at hospitals and labs to save people from a pandemic like COVID. He said this is not about ideology but mindset, whether it is positive or negative. There is scope for both and paths are open for both. He urged the students to decide whether they want to be part of the problem or the solution.
He added if they put the nation first then their every decision will move towards some solution. He advised the students not to be afraid of taking a decision. He said as long as the youth of the country have the passion to innovate, take risks and move forward then there is no worry about the future of the country. He assured the Government’s support for the youth in this endeavour.
