PM Modi highlights AI innovations at Nalanda, Central Sanskrit University
New Delhi, June 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that as rapid technological advancements and artificial intelligence continue to transform the world, it has become equally important to preserve human creativity and remain connected to India's civilisational roots while embracing innovation.
Addressing the nation during the 135th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said the present era is witnessing unprecedented technological progress, making it essential to strike a balance between modern developments and traditional knowledge systems.
"This is the age of technology. New research is taking place every day. Ever new AI innovations are coming up. In such times, a crucial question arises: how can we preserve people's creativity? How do we remain connected to our roots while advancing with new technology?" PM Modi said.
He mentioned that the Nalanda University has found a solution to these questions.
"Our Nalanda University, dating back thousands of years, is now shaping India's destiny in a new avatar. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to dedicate the new campus of Nalanda University to the people. Nalanda University has revived our ancient tradition of Shaastraarth, i.e. intellectual discourse," he said.
The Prime Minister said that Shaastraarth is not merely a medium for expressing one's views; it is a "disciplined process of dialogue, debate, and deep contemplation".
"It requires articulating one's position backed by logic and facts - areas demanding mastery. This process also teaches us to listen to and understand the views of others with patience. I am pleased that Nalanda University has incorporated this into its convocation ceremony. Nearly half of the participating students came from other countries," he said.
"This effort to bridge an ancient tradition with contemporary times is highly commendable. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Nalanda University for this initiative. I would also urge other universities across the country to consider similar initiatives," PM Modi added.
Another significant effort that the Prime Minister highlighted was a way to prepare the youth for new technology while keeping them rooted in their heritage.
"The Central Sanskrit University in Delhi is launching a B.Tech program in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. This marks a crucial step towards integrating modern technology with India's traditional knowledge. It will facilitate the development of new AI tools for Indian languages and accelerate the digitisation and preservation of our ancient texts and manuscripts. I convey my best wishes to the Central Sanskrit University for this endeavour," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This B.Tech in AI and Sanskrit degree at Central Sanskrit University sounds interesting but I'm skeptical. How many students will actually enroll? And where are the placement opportunities? We need jobs first, not just feel-good announcements. The government should focus on practical outcomes.
As someone who works in tech in Bangalore, I find this really refreshing. We often forget that innovation doesn't have to mean abandoning tradition. The Shaastraarth concept of disciplined debate is something modern workplaces could learn from. Good on PM Modi for promoting this balanced approach.
Jai ho! 🇮🇳 This is what makes India special - our universities date back thousands of years and now they're leading AI research. The Nalanda revival is a masterstroke. And that Sanskrit + AI degree? Perfect timing as the world needs more Indic language AI tools. Proud moment for every Indian!
Honestly, I'm tired of hearing Mann Ki Baat every month with no real follow-through. Yes, these ideas sound great on paper but what about the basic infrastructure in our universities? Free Wi-Fi? Updated labs? Better faculty training? Let's start with the fundamentals before celebrating innovation.
As a mother of two college students, I'm cautiously optimistic. The Shastraarth concept sounds wonderful - teaching our youth respectful debate and critical thinking. But will this just be another token initiative? I hope universities across the country actually implement this rather than just posing for photos.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.