Rise above self-interest, PM tells youth asking them to put nation first

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked young educated people to work for unity and integrity of the country, keeping in mind the concept of “nation first”.

With educated young persons, such as Disha Ravi in the eye of the storm over their “role” in fanning the ongoing farmers’ agitation, the Prime Minister said knowledge and power both came with responsibility.

Reminding students of vision of Rabindranath Tagore who founded the Visva Bharati, the oldest Central University in the country, he said every knowledgeable person needed to be aware of his or her responsibility towards the nation.

“Many, who are spreading ‘atankwad’ (terror), are highly skilled and educated. At the same time, there are also those young and educated persons who are fighting coronavirus. This is not just about ideology but mindset. What you do depends upon what is your mindset, whether positive or negative. It also depends upon whether you want to become a part of solution,” the Prime Minister said addressing the convocation at Visva Bharati University.

“If you become a part of the nation first, you will see solutions in the worst situations. If your intentions are pure, dedicated towards ‘Maa Bharti’, your step will be towards the direction,” he said.

“We should never forget the feelings that unite the country,” he added.

The Prime Minister is also the Chancellor of the University.

“There was a reason why Gurudev named it Vishva Bharati. It is not just a place to study but attempt to reach the highest echelons of Indian culture,” the Prime Minister said.

As many as 2,535 students received their degrees during the ceremony.

Visva Bharati was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921. It is the oldest central university in the country.

In May 1951, Visva Bharati was declared to be a Central University and “an institution of national importance” by an Act of Parliament. The University followed the pedagogy devised by Tagore, though gradually it evolved in the format in which modern universities developed elsewhere.