At AMU event, PM Modi hails diversity
AGRA: Insisting that politics can wait but development cannot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said political and ideological differences should be set aside for the sake of national goals.
Delivering the keynote address as chief guest of the centenary celebrations of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the prime minister said development should not be seen through political prism.
Addressing the university students, teachers and other staff through videoconferencing, the PM said, “There are elements in society who get uneasy when steps are taken for progress. They try to create negativity but sooner or later get marginalised. We have to understand that politics is an important aspect of society. But in society there are also issues other than politics and one has to rise above them for nation.”
Since 1964 it is for the first time that any incumbent prime minister has participated in AMU event. Despite the event being online, large scale preparations were made for it. With a section of students opposing the PM’s participation in the event, a contingent of police force was deployed at Bab-e-Syed gate of
the university.
In his speech, the PM rooted for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and said that not much time should be wasted, like in the past, on differences.
“We are aiming to build a New India where youth and students of AMU can play a major role,” he said while describing the university as ‘mini-India’.
“AMU campus is like a city in itself. We see a Mini India among different departments, dozens of hostels, thousands of teachers and professors. The diversity which we see here is not only the
strength of this university but also of the entire nation,” he said while hailing the contribution of the AMU in nation-building and in elevating India’s position internationally through extensive researches.
Urdu and Hindi, Arabic and Sanskrit are all taught on the campus, he said. Along with Quran, the translations of Gita and Ramayana are kept in the library. “This diversity is the country’s strength. We have to neither forget it nor let it get weakened,” he said.
Acknowledging the role of the university in country’s fight against Covid-19, the Prime Minister said: “During this tough time, the way AMU helped out the society is phenomenal. Getting people tested, creating isolation wards and contributing a big amount to PM-CARES, show how people related to AMU are committed to the nation.”
“The school dropout rate among Muslim girls was more than 70 per cent and this situation persisted in India for 70 years. The government started Swachh Bharat Mission, built toilets in villages and toilets for school-going girls. Now this rate has fallen to nearly 30 per cent,” he claimed while also applauding the fact that amongst students at AMU, 35 % are girls.
“At AMU, the researches are done in Urdu, Arabic and Persian. This is commendable. Especially the research conducted in Islamic history elevates the position of India in the Islamic world and gives new energy to India’s relation with them,” he said.
“It is fascinating to see how the history of education attached to the AMU buildings is India’s valuable heritage. I often meet AMU alumni during my foreign visits, who very proudly say that they have studied at AMU,” said the PM. “I assure you that no citizen, irrespective of religion, cast and creed would be left behind on the path of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas,” he said.
The PM invited suggestions from AMU students on achieving the goal of ‘Vocal for Local’, New India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He also said that alumni of AMU had actively contributed to the freedom struggle of India.
Modi released a special commemorative postal stamp in the event, which was also attended by Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank as the guest of honour.