University will truly attain the status of Nalanda of yore

27-August-2016 17:58 IST

Universities Must Be Bastions of Free Speech And Expression, Says President 

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed the first convocation of Nalanda University and laid the foundations stone of its new campus today (August 27, 2016) at Rajgir, Nalanda. 

Rajgir (Bihar): 27 August 2016: (PIB//Punjab Screen Bureau):

Speaking on the occasion, the President said as Visitor to Nalanda University, it is his hope that this University will truly attain the status of Nalanda of yore. There are many practices of ancient Nalanda which are worthy of emulation by the new Nalanda. One of the most important characteristics of ancient Nalanda was that it was an international institution where inter-Asian connections, in particular, flourished. Chinese monks like Xuan Zang, Yijing and Huichao among others visited, lived, studied and taught in Nalanda. At a later period, scholars from Tibet kept coming to Nālandā for studying Buddhism and other branches of knowledge. Monks from several other countries including Sri Lanka also came to Nālanda, revealing the diversity of religious and cultural influences on the institution. And, the traffic was not just in one direction. Monks from Nālandā spread their wisdom across the world and had reached China before Xuan Zang’s visit to India. 

The President said ancient Nalanda was known for the high level of debate and discussion it nurtured. It was not a mere geographical expression but it reflected an idea and a culture. Nalanda conveyed the message of friendship, cooperation, debate, discussion and argument. Discussion and debate are part of our ethos and life. 

The President said though the main subjects of study were the Buddhist texts, importance was also given to critiques of Buddhism by various schools, study of Vedas and beyond. The lesson for modern Nalanda is to ensure that this great tradition finds new life and vigour within its precincts. Universities must be the bastions of free speech and expression. It must be the arena where diverse and conflicting schools of thought contend. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred within the spaces of this institution. Further, it must act as a flag bearer for the coexistence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies. 

The President said Nalanda was a melting pot of civilizations and modern India should remain the same. We should not close our windows and yet we should not be blown off by winds from outside. We should let the winds flow freely from all over the world and get enriched by them. We should embrace free discussion and debate leaving behind narrow mindsets and thoughts. 

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Bengal Mega Food Park, at Jangipur

The President Mukherjee lighting the lamp

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee lighting the lamp at the inauguration of the Jangipur Bengal Mega Food Park, at Jangipur, in Murshidabad, West Bengal on August 24, 2016. The Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi, the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar are also seen.

Remember his idea of human love-The President

08-May-2016 18:26 IST
President’s Message on the Occasion of Birthday of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore 

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee paying floral tributes at the portrait of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on his Birth Anniversary, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 08, 2016.    (PIB photo)

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his message on the occasion of birthday of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, which falls on today (May 8, 2016), has said: - 

“On the occasion of the 155th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, I join my fellow countrymen in paying homage to this great soul of India. 

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary is an occasion for us to remember his idea of human love, selfless service and collapsing boundaries. Gurudev made us realize that literature, histories and cultures represent common ideals of humanity that transcend national limits. It is this sense of a shared humanity, a Visva- that Tagore sang of in his literature and music. 

Gurudev Tagore was a great admirer of nature and many of his literary works invoke the simple beauties of the natural world. He believed that religion could be found in the wonders and mysteries of nature – as much as in the temples and sacred books. Gurudev Tagore had a perfect sense of synergy and joy-the joy of submission to a divine power, the joy of surrendering the self, of participating in the vast expanse of nature and reading out to the nooks and corners of humanity. 

Tagore’s life and work continue to be a source of immense inspiration to the people of our nation and the world. Let us on this day draw inspiration from Tagore’s words ‘the spirit of India has always proclaimed the ideal of unity. This ideal of unity never rejects anything, any race, or any culture’.” (PIB)
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Remembering Sahir Ludhianvi

08-March-2013 14:34 IST
President releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee releasing the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Shri Sahir Ludhianvi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 08, 2013. The Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal is also seen.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on late Shri Sahir Ludhianvi on the occasion of his birth anniversary today (March 8, 2013) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, the President said late Shri Sahir Ludhianvi was widely acclaimed as a people’s poet who wrote on the trials and tribulations of the everyday life of the common man with great intensity and deep empathy. He was recognised as the poet of the young because of his writings on love and beauty. He wrote with great sensitivity on the values and social concerns of the contemporary period.
The President said one of Sahir’s greatest contributions was to converge Urdu poetry into film songs. He also fought for recognition for lyric writers through the Film Writers Association. The fact that his birth day is being commemorated 33 years after his death with the release of the stamp is proof that he lives - through his poetry and his songs – in people’s hearts. 

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari. (PIB)
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