Respected Rashtrapati ji, Governor General Syed Ata Hasnain ji, Minister Shri Shrawan Kumar ji, Vice Chancellor Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi ji, Excellencies, Students, Faculty, Staff and families.
Namaskar and a very Good Morning to all of you.
I am very privileged to witness this Second Convocation of Nalanda University, that too in the august presence of Hon’ble Rashtrapati. Each such milestone marks an evolution of an emerging institution and is a cause for celebration in itself, and it has been my personal good fortune to be associated with this University from the very start. Now having studied in a new university myself in my time, I recognize the significance of the event for this institution’s future. Each one of you receiving a degree today, each one of you contributing to a degree, by being a fellow student or by being a teacher, will have a justifiable sense of pride. I am confident that those graduating, those receiving their degrees today would repay by contributing to Nalanda University’s growth in whatever capacity you can, from wherever you will be.
This University is unique in its international character. While that has always had a value, it is even more so in this age of globalization. As we advance towards a Viksit Bharat, it is essential that India is ready for the world and equally, the world for India. This requires coming generations to be more connected, to be more sensitive to global developments, and I am sure the graduating cohorts can make a difference in this regard. International students in particular can promote India in their respective countries when they go back. All of you, I know, have given their best here and I know equally that you are taking a part of India back with you.
The very term Nalanda evokes memories of India’s intellectual heritage and cultural grandeur. A revival of that tradition in this institution is an indicator not just of the rise of India, but of Asia itself. Today, there are intense debates going on about future directions of growth and progress in the world. Much of that understandably centres around technology. But as the Nalanda spirit reminds us, we should never forget, that there is always the human side. The world is becoming more multi-polar because there are many more cultures and many more societies that are making their voices heard. The Nalanda tradition can be a powerful influence in this democratization of the global order. And also be a reminder that technology and tradition – vikas bhi, virasat bhi – must march hand-in-hand.
So, on this occasion, let me convey my best wishes to all those receiving their degrees today, to their near and dear, and to the future of the Nalanda University. Thank you.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
Rajgir
March 31, 2026