Chennai, Oct 12:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called upon students to dream big, think differently and live without fear, saying India’s younger generation had the talent and determination to help transform the country into a developed nation by 2047.
Addressing students, teachers and other participants at the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, the Prime Minister said young people could provide solutions to challenges facing the world and play a decisive role in India’s development journey.
He urged students to contribute to the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with India aspiring to become one of the world’s three largest economies, emerge as a global manufacturing hub and achieve further milestones in science, technology and sports.
Recalling the institution’s history, Modi said Vishva Hindu Vidya Kendra (VHVK) began its journey in 1975 with just seven students in West Mambalam, despite limited infrastructure and resources. Over five decades, the educational initiative had expanded into a network of 15 establishments.
He commended the institution for its commitment to education, service and nationalism, highlighting its contribution to society beyond the classroom.
The Prime Minister recalled an episode featured in his Mann Ki Baat programme in which students, teachers and non-teaching staff of the Jaigopal Garodia school contributed Rs 40 lakh towards the welfare of military personnel through a daily savings initiative involving Re 1 per day.
He cited the initiative as an example of how small individual contributions, when made collectively, could create a significant and lasting impact.
Modi also spoke about the importance of preserving Tamil language and culture while strengthening national unity. Referring to his interactions and association with Dr G V Girija Seshadri, general secretary of VHVK, he said his affection for Tamil had grown through his travels and engagements.
He encouraged students to travel across India, interact with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds and share Tamil traditions with the rest of the country.
Highlighting the enduring relevance of Tamil literature, the Prime Minister referred to the wisdom of the Thirukkural and recalled the influence of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati’s years in Kashi on the poet’s national outlook.
His remarks placed Tamil literary heritage within the broader context of India’s cultural diversity, emphasising that regional identity and national unity could complement each other.
The Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of India’s higher education system since 2014, including growth in universities and colleges and the increasing international recognition of Indian institutions.
He also underscored the role of the National Education Policy in improving educational quality and called for the identification and development of each student’s unique abilities.
Education, he indicated, should help young people discover their strengths, develop independent thinking and acquire the skills needed to contribute to a rapidly changing world.
The celebrations included an audio-visual presentation titled Journey of Hindu Vidyalaya, tracing the institution’s five-decade history. A golden jubilee souvenir was released, along with an album of patriotic songs performed by students.