Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Nalanda University for reviving the ancient Indian tradition of Shastrarth (scholarly debate), describing it as a significant step towards integrating India’s civilisational heritage with modern education and technology.
Addressing the 135th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister said the university has successfully revived the centuries-old practice of intellectual discourse while adapting it to contemporary academic settings.
“Two years ago, I had the opportunity to dedicate the new campus of Nalanda University to the nation. Nalanda University has revived our ancient tradition of Shastrarth. Shastrarth is not merely a medium for expressing one’s views; it is a disciplined process of dialogue, debate and deep contemplation,” PM Modi said.
He noted that the tradition encourages participants to present their views with logic and evidence while patiently listening to and understanding opposing perspectives.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that Nalanda University had incorporated Shastrarth into its convocation ceremony, adding that nearly half of the participating students were from other countries.
“I am pleased that Nalanda University has incorporated this into its convocation ceremony. Nearly half of the participating students came from other countries. This effort to bridge an ancient tradition with contemporary times is highly commendable,” he said.
Congratulating the university for the initiative, PM Modi urged other higher educational institutions across the country to consider adopting similar practices to promote meaningful academic dialogue.
Highlighting the rapid pace of technological advancement, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence, the Prime Minister said preserving human creativity while embracing innovation remains an important challenge.
“Friends, this is the age of technology. New research is taking place every day. Ever new AI innovations are coming up. In such times, a crucial question arises: how can we preserve people’s creativity? How do we remain connected to our roots while advancing with new technology?” he said.
PM Modi said Nalanda University has demonstrated how India’s ancient knowledge traditions can complement modern education and technological progress.
“Our Nalanda University—dating back thousands of years—is now shaping India’s destiny in a new avatar,” he added.
-ANI
