Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, underlined that the education system and educational institutions would play a crucial role in shaping ”the bright future of India”. He said the country was moving at a fast pace to develop education infrastructure and policies at every level in the ”Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal”.

Addressing the 75th Amrut Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan via video conferencing, PM Modi said with the New Education Policy, the country was preparing an education system that was futuristic. The new policy would help the coming generations become ideal citizens of the country.

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He noted that the country has seen an increase in the number of IITs, IIITs, IIMs and AIIMSs while the number of medical colleges registered a phenomenal growth of 65 per cent as compared to the time before 2014.

Lamenting the neglect of education, Modi said while earlier governments faltered, national saints and Acharyas took up the challenge. “Swaminarayan Gurukul is a living example of this ‘Suyog (favourable juncture),’’ he added. This institution was developed on the foundation of the ideals of the freedom movement.

“Spreading true knowledge is the most important task, and it has been India’s devotion towards knowledge and education in the world that has established the roots of Indian civilisation,” the PM remarked.

He informed that even though the Gurukul Vidya Pratishthanam began with only seven students in Rajkot, it has 40 branches worldwide today, attracting thousands of students from all over the world.

Referring to the Indian tradition of treating knowledge as the highest pursuit of life, he pointed out that when other parts of the world were identified with their ruling dynasties, Indian identity was linked with its gurukuls. “Our Gurukuls have been representing equity, equality, care and a sense of service for centuries,” he added.

He remembered Nalanda and Takshshila as synonyms for India’s ancient glory. “Discovery and research were an integral part of the Indian lifestyle. From self-discovery to divinity, ayurveda to aadhyatm (spirituality), social science to solar science, from Math to metallurgy and from zero to infinity, research and new conclusions were drawn in every field.”

Modi said, “India, in that dark age, gave humanity rays of light that paved the way for the world’s journey of modern science.” He also highlighted the gender equality and sensitivity of the Indian ancient gurukul system and lauded Swaminarayan Gurukul for starting ‘Kanya Gurukul’.

He emphasised the importance of the saints in the journey of the next 25 years. “Today India’s resolutions are new and also the efforts to realise them. Today the country is moving with a vision of Digital India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. ‘Sabka Prayas (everyone’s effort) in these projects of social transformation and social reform will impact the lives of crores of people,” he added.

The PM also urged the students of Gurukul to travel to Northeast India for a minimum of 15 days and connect with the people to further strengthen the nation. He also touched upon topics like Beti Bachao and environment protection and urged people to come together to strengthen Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. “I am sure institutions like Swaminarayan Gurukul Vidya Pratishthanam will continue to give strength to this journey of India’s resolutions,” he said.