Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today participated in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jayagopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Underlining the spiritual significance of the day , the Prime Minister expressed his immense happiness at visiting the holy land of Shiva and Shakti on the very first day of Navratri. He said that experiencing the positive energy , enthusiasm and vibrant spirit of the youth while meeting the devotees of Maa Saraswati was a very auspicious start to the festival. ” I can see the future of India in the eyes of all of you,” Shri Modi said .
Recognizing the immense potential of the young generation , the Prime Minister emphasized that today’s youth have a strong desire to be the driving force behind the vision of a ‘ Developed India ‘ . He said that the new ideas and solutions needed to achieve this national goal will ultimately shape not only the destiny of the country but also the future of the entire world. ” Today the world is looking for solutions and you have the potential to provide those solutions,” Shri Modi said.
Encouraging students to dream big , the Prime Minister urged every young person to envision their future on the vast canvas of infinite opportunities emerging across the country. He expressed complete confidence that in this unprecedented era of possibilities, this collective national dream is fully within their reach. ” Together, we will do it!” said Shri Modi.
Recounting a deeply personal anecdote , the Prime Minister revealed the intriguing inspiration behind his visit, recalling his meeting with Girija Amma and several children in Nagercoil a few months ago. ” Their deep dedication , self-confidence, and unwavering commitment to the future of the country left an indelible impression on me,” Mr. Modi said.
Fulfilling the promise made at that initial meeting , the Prime Minister said that Girija Amma’s affection and deep respect for this historic institution had prompted him to accept the invitation to the Golden Jubilee celebrations. ” I heartily congratulate the Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra and the entire Hindu Vidyalaya family on this glorious journey of fifty years,” Shri Modi said.
Recalling the institution’s inspiring journey , the Prime Minister said that the Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra started in 1975 as a very small school in West Mambalam , Chennai , with just seven students and limited resources. He praised the founders, saying that with their strong will and unwavering spirit of service, they overcame initial difficulties and took the institution forward despite the lack of modern facilities or a permanent building. ” That is why , despite all difficulties , the institution continued to grow,” Shri Modi said.
Highlighting the massive expansion from that humble beginning , the Prime Minister commended how that small initial effort has grown over the decades into a major educational movement. He noted the impressive scale of the institute’s current reach across the state. ” Today you have 15 institutes in different parts of Tamil Nadu, ” Shri Modi said.
Paying respect to the founders of the institution , the Prime Minister reverently remembered the significant contribution of Shri Jaigopal Garodia in building the school building. He expressed his deep gratitude to all the teachers , staff , parents and alumni who dedicated their lives to making Hindu Vidyalaya’s journey a resounding success. ” Fifty years of dedication , fifty years of commitment , fifty years of shaping young lives,” said Shri Modi .
The Prime Minister praised the institute, saying it was perfectly blending academic education with a strong sense of patriotism. He also recalled Girija Amma’s mention in her ‘ Mann Ki Baat ‘ programme , who had brilliantly inspired children to save one rupee daily for the country’s soldiers. He commended the tremendous collective impact of thousands of children joining this pledge and raising Rs 40 lakh. ” Truly , what an inspiring example this is!” Shri Modi said .
The Prime Minister emphasized the power of small efforts, saying that small contributions can have a huge positive impact on society. He praised the Hindu Vidyalaya family for actively carrying forward a great legacy of values , whether it is helping the needy during natural disasters or actively participating in cleanliness drives. ” Even a small effort can have a huge impact,” Shri Modi said .
Referring to ancient wisdom, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the great sage Thiruvalluvar, saying his teachings are very relevant to today’s students. He proudly recalled a recent diplomatic meeting in which he presented a Russian translation of the Thirukkural to President Putin. ” His teachings are very important for all of you students,” Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the eternal teachings of the Thirukkural, calling it an excellent guide for lifelong learners. He cited a famous Kural of Thiruvalluvar , which emphasizes the importance of applying the lessons learned in everyday life. He described this as an important lesson for students. ” Along with learning something, it is also very important to implement it in one’s life,” Mr. Modi said .
Referring to the deep cultural ties that bind the country , the Prime Minister said that the great poet Mahakavi Bharathiyar was deeply influenced by the spiritual and national consciousness he felt in Kashi. He encouraged students to read and draw inspiration from the poet’s vast life and philosophy. ” The spiritual and national consciousness-filled atmosphere of Kashi had a deep impact on his thoughts,” Shri Modi said.
Connecting his parliamentary constituency with this shared heritage , the Prime Minister said that the people of Kashi still remember the great poet Bharathiyar with great affection. He appealed to the youth to adopt the poet’s famous mantra ‘ Achamillai , Achamillai ‘ ( fearless , fearless) and move forward with full enthusiasm to fulfil their ideas and dreams. ” Dream big , think differently and be fearless,” Shri Modi said .
Recalling his life experiences, the Prime Minister said that his deep understanding of the country was forged by travelling extensively and learning directly from people in different regions. He fondly recalled his participation in the Ekta Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in the early 1990s , where his long-lasting association with Girija Amma began. ” Our association has continued ever since,” Shri Modi said.
Expressing his deep personal connection with the state , the Prime Minister said that his extensive travels have given him the opportunity to closely understand and appreciate the vast diversity of the country. ” The love I have for the Tamil language and Tamil culture in my life has also been born out of these experiences,” Mr. Modi said.
Encouraging students to actively participate in national unity , the Prime Minister urged the youth to travel extensively and carry Tamil culture with pride wherever they go . He advised the students to share Tamil poetry , stories and traditions, as well as make friends with people from different backgrounds to strengthen the unity of the country. ” The unity of our country is built by the friendships you make,” Shri Modi emphasized .
Detailing the unprecedented structural changes transforming the country’s educational landscape , the Prime Minister highlighted the vast expansion of opportunities available to the new generation. Citing concrete statistics, he said the number of universities in the country has increased from 750 in 2014 to over 1,300 today , while the number of colleges has risen from 38,000 to over 52,000 , with several new IITs , IIMs , IIITs and AIIMS also being established. ” Today, the entire landscape of education in the country is changing,” Mr. Modi said.
Emphasizing the qualitative improvements brought about by the new education policy , the Prime Minister commended the rapid recognition being gained by the country’s institutions across the world. He pointed out that the number of Indian universities included in the QS rankings has now increased from just 14 in 2015 to 52 , significantly expanding the options for students. ” More institutions , more choices and more opportunities for you ,” said Shri Modi .
Understanding the diverse aspirations of the youth , the Prime Minister acknowledged that many students want to pursue careers beyond traditional ones , especially in sports. He assured that the country is rapidly building new sports infrastructure and providing better training and support, so that sports are not just considered a pastime but a rewarding career , thereby enhancing the country’s prestige internationally. ” Young athletes are getting better training and support,” Mr. Modi said .
Setting out lofty national goals in the field of sports , the Prime Minister announced that the country is preparing vigorously to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is also moving towards fulfilling the big dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics. He said that hosting major global sports events in the future will provide the youth with a great platform , potential and full support of the government. ” The opportunities are limitless and I am confident that your generation will take India to new heights in the world of sports as well,” Shri Modi said .
Expressing his confidence in the young generation , the Prime Minister said that interacting with students and experiencing their passionate dreams has further strengthened his belief in the country’s bright future. He described the youth as the real heroes who will shape the coming times and give it a new direction. ” India’s future will be very bright , and you are the biggest heroes of that future,” Mr. Modi said.
Expressing his full confidence in their abilities , the Prime Minister praised the tremendous talent , confidence and capability of the students present . He asked the youth present to join him in taking some big and historic resolutions for the country. ” Today I want to reiterate some big resolutions with all of you,” Shri Modi said.
At the end of his speech, with a very passionate and enthusiastic resolve , the Prime Minister joined the huge crowd in a resounding chant of “We will do it!” to demonstrate the determination to achieve the country’s lofty goals. He appealed to the youth to work wholeheartedly to achieve the goals of building a developed India by 2047 , becoming one of the top three economies in the world , becoming a self-reliant global manufacturing hub , hosting the Olympics, and sending an Indian to the Moon.