PM Modi addresses centenary celebrations of Visva Bharati University

Published By : Admin | December 24, 2020 | 11:00 IST
Our nation is taking forward the message and teachings given at Visva-Bharati: PM Modi
Bhakti Andolan brought us all together, Gyan Andolan gave us knowledge and Karm Andolan helped us execute our plans during the struggle for independence: PM
Tagore wanted the entire humanity to benefit from India’s spiritual awakening. The vision for a self-reliant India is also a derivative of this sentiment: PM

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed at the centenary celebrations of Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan today through video conference.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said Visva-Bharati's hundred year journey is very special and a matter of pride for every Indian. He said the University is a true embodiment of Gurudev's contemplation, vision and hard work for Mother Bharati. He expressed happiness that Visva-Bharati, Shriniketan and Santiniketan are continually striving to achieve the goals that Gurudev had set.

The Prime Minister remarked that our country is spreading the message emanating from Visva-Bharati to the whole world. He added, India today is leading the world in environmental protection through the International Solar Alliance. He said India is the only major country on the right path to achieve the environmental goals of Paris Accord.

The Prime Minister urged to recall the circumstances which led to the establishment of this University. He said the goals of the independence movement were in line with the goals of this University. But it is also a fact that the foundation of these movements were laid long ago. The Prime Minister said India's independence movement got energy from many movements that were going on since centuries. The Bhakti movement strengthened the spiritual and cultural unity of India. He said during the Bhakti era, saints from every region of India, tried to keep the country's consciousness awake. He added Bhakti movement was the door that filled the struggling India with collective consciousness and confidence for centuries.

The Prime Minister said it is because of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, India got Swami Vivekananda. In Swami Vivekananda devotion, knowledge and action, all three were absorbed in themselves. Shri Modi said that Swami Vivekananda began to see divinity in every person while expanding the scope of devotion and also gave expression to Karma, stressing on the creation of individual and institution. Stalwart saints of bhakti movement from all parts of India laid a strong foundation.

The Prime Minister said along with the period of hundreds of years of Bhakti movement, Karma movement also took place in the country. The Prime Minister gave many examples of Chatrapati Shivaji, Maharan Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, Rani Chinnemma, Bhagwan Birsa Munda and many more. The people of India were fighting slavery and imperialism. He said the karma-rigorous practice of tenacity and sacrifice of ordinary citizens against injustice and exploitation was at its peak and this became a major inspiration of our freedom struggle in future.

The Prime Minister said that trinity of Bhakti. Karm and gyan fed and nurtured the consciousness of the freedom movement. He said the need of the hour was to create an ideological revolution to win the war of independence on the establishment of knowledge and at the same time prepare a new generation for the creation of a bright future for India. He said that many prestigious educational institutions, universities have played a very big role in this. These educational institutions gave new energy, gave new direction, gave new height to the ideological movement going on for India's independence.

The Prime Minister said we are united with the Bhakti movement, the Gyan movement gave intellectual strength and Karma movement gave us the courage to fight for our rights. He said the freedom movement, which lasted for a period of hundreds of years, has become a unique example of sacrifice, penance and devotion. Impressed by these movements, thousands of people came forward to sacrifice in the freedom struggle.

The Prime Minister said that the stream of national consciousness of Vedas to Vivekananda was also vocal in Gurudev's contemplation of nationalism. This stream was neither introverted nor insular. The focus was not to keep India isolated from the world. This vision entailed that the world should benefit from what is best in India and that what is good in the world, India should also learn from it. The name ‘Visva-Bharati’ encapsulates this linkage between India and the world. Gurudev's vision for Vishwa Bharati is also the essence of self-reliant India. Self-reliant India campaign is also the path of India's welfare for world welfare.This campaign is a campaign to empower India, a campaign to bring prosperity from the prosperity of India to the world, said Shri Modi.

Click here to read full text speech

Explore More
শ্ৰী ৰাম জনমভূমি মন্দিৰৰ ধ্বজাৰোহণ উৎসৱত প্ৰধানমন্ত্ৰীৰ সম্বোধনৰ অসমীয়া অনুবাদ

Popular Speeches

শ্ৰী ৰাম জনমভূমি মন্দিৰৰ ধ্বজাৰোহণ উৎসৱত প্ৰধানমন্ত্ৰীৰ সম্বোধনৰ অসমীয়া অনুবাদ
India's strong growth outlook intact despite global volatility: Govt

Media Coverage

India's strong growth outlook intact despite global volatility: Govt
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
Prime Minister urges MPs to vote in favour of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendment, Calls it Historic Opportunity
April 17, 2026

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has highlighted that a discussion is currently underway in Parliament on the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, noting that deliberations continued till 1 AM last night.

He stated that all misconceptions surrounding the amendment have been addressed with logical responses, and every concern raised by members has been resolved. The Prime Minister added that necessary information, wherever lacking, has also been provided to all members, ensuring that issues of opposition have been clarified.

Emphasising that the issue of women’s reservation has witnessed political debates for nearly four decades, the Prime Minister said that the time has now come to ensure that women, who constitute half of the country’s population, receive their rightful representation.

He observed that even after decades of independence, the low representation of women in the decision-making process is not appropriate and needs to be corrected.

The Prime Minister informed that voting in the Lok Sabha is expected shortly and urged all political parties to take a thoughtful and sensitive decision by voting in favour of the women’s reservation amendment.

Appealing on behalf of the women of the country, he urged all Members of Parliament to ensure that no action hurts the sentiments of Nari Shakti. He noted that crores of women are looking towards the Parliament, its intent, and its decisions.

The Prime Minister called upon MPs to reflect upon their families-mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives—and listen to their inner conscience while making the decision.

He described the amendment as a significant opportunity to serve and honour the women of the nation and urged members not to deprive them of new opportunities.

Expressing confidence, the Prime Minister said that if the amendment is passed unanimously, it will further strengthen Nari Shakti as well as the country’s democracy.

Calling it a historic moment, he urged all members to come together to create history by granting rightful representation to women, who form half of India’s population.

The Prime Minister wrote on X;

“संसद में इस समय नारीशक्ति वंदन अधिनियम में संशोधन पर चर्चा चल रही है। कल रात भी एक बजे तक चर्चा चली है।

जो भ्रम फैलाए गए, उनको दूर करने के लिए तर्कबद्ध जवाब दिया गया है। हर आशंका का समाधान किया गया है। जिन जानकारियों का अभाव था, वो जानकारियां भी हर सदस्य को दी गई हैं। किसी के मन में विरोध का जो कोई भी विषय था, उसका भी समाधान हुआ है।

महिला आरक्षण के इस विषय पर देश में चार दशक तक बहुत राजनीति कर ली गई है। अब समय है कि देश की आधी आबादी को उसके अधिकार अवश्य मिलें।

आजादी के इतने दशकों बाद भी भारत की महिलाओं का निर्णय प्रक्रिया में इतना कम प्रतिनिधित्व रहे, ये ठीक नहीं।

अब कुछ ही देर लोकसभा में मतदान होने वाला है। मैं सभी राजनीतिक दलों से आग्रह करता हूं… अपील करता हूं...

कृपया करके सोच-विचार करके पूरी संवेदनशीलता से निर्णय लें, महिला आरक्षण के पक्ष में मतदान करें।

मैं देश की नारी शक्ति की तरफ से भी सभी सदस्यों से प्रार्थना करूंगा… कुछ भी ऐसा ना करें, जिनसे नारीशक्ति की भावनाएं आहत हों।

देश की करोड़ों महिलाओं की दृष्टि हम सभी पर है, हमारी नीयत पर है, हमारे निर्णय पर है। कृपया करके नारीशक्ति वंदन अधिनियम में संशोधन का साथ दें।”

“मैं सभी सांसदों से कहूंगा...

आप अपने घर में मां-बहन-बेटी-पत्नी सबका स्मरण करते हुए अपनी अंतरात्मा को सुनिए ...

देश की नारीशक्ति की सेवा का, उनके वंदन का ये बहुत बड़ा अवसर है।

उन्हें नए अवसरों से वंचित नहीं करिए।

ये संशोधन सर्वसम्मति से पारित होगा, तो देश की नारीशक्ति और सशक्त होगी… देश का लोकतंत्र और सशक्त होगा।

आइए… हम मिलकर आज इतिहास रचें। भारत की नारी को… देश की आधी आबादी को उसका हक दें।”

"Parliament is discussing a historic legislation that paves the way for women’s reservation in legislative bodies. The discussions, which began yesterday, lasted till around 1 AM and have continued since the House proceedings began this morning.

The Government has addressed all apprehensions and misconceptions relating to the legislation with facts and logic. All concerns have been addressed and any gaps in information have also been filled.

For nearly four decades, this issue of women’s reservation in legislative bodies has been inordinately delayed. Now is the time to ensure that half of the nation’s population receives its rightful due in decision making. Even after so many decades of Independence, it is not right that women in India have such limited representation in this area.

In a short while from now, voting will take place in the Lok Sabha. I urge and appeal to all political parties to reflect carefully and take a sensitive decision by voting in favour of women’s reservation.

On behalf of our Nari Shakti, I also request all members not to do anything that may hurt the sentiments of women across India. Crores of women are watching us…our intent and our decisions. I once again request that everyone support the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.”

"I would like to appeal to all Members of Parliament…

Please reflect upon your conscience, remembering the women in your own families.

The legislation to ensure women’s reservation in legislative bodies is a significant opportunity to do justice to women of our nation.

Please do not deprive our Nari Shakti of new opportunities.

If this amendment is passed unanimously, it will further empower the women of our country and strengthen our democracy.

Let us come together today to create history.

Let us ensure that the women of India, who are half of the nation’s population, receive their rightful due.”