Chennai: PM Modi Urges Students to Dream Big, Contribute to Viksit Bharat
Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, Modi said the country’s youth had the potential to provide solutions to global challenges and urged them to make the best use of the opportunities available in India.
Congratulating the Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra and the Hindu Vidyalaya family on completing 50 years, the Prime Minister recalled that the institution began in Chennai’s West Mambalam in 1975 with just seven students and had since expanded to 15 institutions across Tamil Nadu.
He acknowledged the contributions of founder Jaigopal Garodia, teachers, staff, parents and alumni in the institution’s growth.
He also recalled an initiative inspired by Girija Amma, under which children saved one rupee daily for the nation’s soldiers, collectively raising Rs 40 lakh. Small contributions, he said, could create a significant impact on society.
Referring to the teachings of Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar, Modi said students should not only acquire knowledge but also apply it in their lives.
He recalled recently presenting a Russian translation of the Thirukkural to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Prime Minister also urged students to draw inspiration from Tamil poet Mahakavi Bharathiyar and his message of fearlessness.
He encouraged young people to travel across the country, share Tamil language and culture, and build friendships with people from diverse backgrounds to strengthen national unity.
Highlighting the expansion of educational opportunities, Modi said the number of universities in India had increased from around 750 in 2014 to more than 1,300, while colleges had grown from 38,000 to over 52,000.
He also noted that the number of Indian universities featured in the QS rankings had risen from 14 in 2015 to 52 in the latest rankings.
Stressing the importance of sports, the Prime Minister said the country was strengthening sports infrastructure and providing athletes with better training and support to pursue sports as a career.
India was preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and was working towards its ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics, he added.
Modi urged students to contribute to the national goals of building a developed India by 2047, becoming one of the world’s top three economies, establishing the country as a global manufacturing hub, hosting the Olympics and sending an Indian to the Moon.
He expressed confidence that the younger generation would play a decisive role in achieving these objectives.
