Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visits Gaya and Nalanda University in Bihar

The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that it is a matter of reflection, contemplation and concern that some people make inappropriate comments on constitutional institutions, wearing political glasses. Describing such behaviour against our cultural ethos, he underlined “The higher the position a person holds, the more dignified his conduct should be. Making any comment to gain political advantage is not a good thing.”

Calling upon everyone to be quite responsible when it comes to constitutional institutions, Shri Dhankhar stressed that “We must not look at constitutional functionaries with political prism, only to score brownie political points. That is not acceptable.”

Addressing a gathering of students, staff and faculty of Nalanda University in Bihar today, the Vice President said that in the field of education, the world has not seen a more potent & powerful brand. “Nalanda, because its history and the Legacy stands out in the world and people will only salute. You have to take this legacy to a higher level.”

Noting that reincarnation of Nalanda will give us a global foothold to disseminate knowledge, he praised the use of Nalanda Mahavihara image in the backdrop of recently concluded G20 summit. “In that backdrop of Nalanda, the leaders were received and greeted that speaks volumes of your brand, acceptability of your brand, non-controversial, non- confrontational, collaborative, cooperative, consensual and that is conducive to growth,” he added.

Describing education as the most impactful & transformational mechanism, Shri Dankhar said that “if the world has to be changed, if the society has to progress, if inequities are to be levelled & if justice is to reach the last in the line, knowledge alone can do it.”

Fortunately boys and girls there is an emergence of an ecosystem system now in Bharat that allows you to fully utilise your energy, exploit your talent and potential, realise your aspiration and dreams.There are no handicapped now.

Noting that a decade ago, India was included in the Fragile Five economies, the Vice President said that our journey from “from ‘Fragile Five’ to the world’s 5th largest economy is no small achievement.” He expressed confidence that by the turn of decade, Bharat will be the third largest economy of the world.

Observing that the world thrives on good virtues of wisdom, sublimity, tolerance and listening to the other points of view, he underlined the need to have respect for others’ points of view. “Don’t be judgmental about it. In my experience, sometimes the other point of view is the correct one,” he added.

Recognizing that education leads to respect for other humankind, the Vice President stated that “it enlarges your horizon that you don’t think in terms of village, state or a nation… you think globally!” He also advised students to be inquisitive & never stop learning, even after leaving Nalanda.
Highlighting that this century belongs to Asia, Shri Dhankhar opined that “in emergence of this mechanism, Bharat has to play a very great role and that role is for Bharat is something which can be done only by young minds.”

On this occasion, the Vice President also praised the Nalanda University campus for being a net zero energy, net zero emission and net zero waste campus, the first of its kind in India.

Dr. (Smt) Sudesh Dhankhar, Shri Shrawon Kumar, Minister, Government of Bihar, Shri Kaushalendra Kumar, Member Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Nalanda Constituency, Shri Abhay Kumar Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University, students, faculty and staff were present.

Talking about India’s presidency of G-20, Shri Dhankhar said that “Bharat very thoughtfully could get a 21st member of G-20, African Union” and described it as a great achievement for “liberty, for human rights, for world unity, for global peace and harmony.” He also expressed his delight over the unanimous G20 declaration and called it the greatest achievement for the largest democracy.

Calling the youth as ‘the foot soldiers of democracy’, he cautioned them about the sinister narratives set afloat on social media to malign the image of the country and asked them to speak out their mind on such issues. “It is your intelligence that has to neutralize such a narrative, it is your obligation to this society that you must be proactive to nip in the bud such sinister ideas & narratives,” he emphasised.

Mentioning that IMF has called India as the brightest spot for global economy, Shri Dhankhar noted the emergence of an ecosystem in Bharat, that allows you to fully unleash youth their talent & potential, and realise their aspirations.

Describing the National Education Policy- 2020 as a game changer, the Vice President said that it has unshackled us from degree orientation & kept away dead baggage. “NEP-2020 is made for Bharat, so that Bharat regains the place of Vishwa Guru, that I am sure will surely happen,” he added.