Key Points

While addressing students and faculty members at Pondicherry University, Dhankhar said, "...Sanatan pride is rebuilding. What was lost is being rebuilt with stronger determination."

"Scholars from all over the world came to share their ideas and learn about our wisdom," he said.

He spoke in detail about the destruction of Nalanda University, once home to a nine-story library known as Dharamganj, calling it a tragic loss for global knowledge. "In two waves of invasion, first the Islamic invasion, and then British colonialism, India suffered a blow to its knowledge heritage. Bakhtiyar Khilji, around 1190, demonstrated cruelty and barbarity. He acted totally against any sense of civilizational ethos. And then, the books alone did not burn. He slit the throats of monks, smashed stupas, and razed the soul of India in his assessment not realizing that the soul of Bharat is indestructible," he said.

"The fire raged for years. It swallowed 9 million, 90 lakh books and texts. Our history turned to cinders. Nalanda was much beyond a school of thought; it was a living, vibrant temple of knowledge for the benefit of the entire humanity," Dhankhar added.

Vice President Dhankhar also urged for more dialogue and less confrontation in politics, warning against a rising political temperature in the country. "Friends, there is a need for a change of national mindset also... We have picked up the habit of not making a difference but differing one with one another... There has to be Abhivyakti, there has to be Vaad-Vivad, there has to be expression, there has to be dialogue," he said.

"We are too keen to raise the political temperature. Climate change is doing that for us. We all are concerned. Why should we melt the glaciers of our patience? Why should we act impatiently getting away from our civilisational, spiritual essence?" he asked.

He appealed to political leaders to focus on national interest and development, stating that "India at the moment is the most aspirational nation in the world."

Expressing concern over the commodification of education, Dhankhar stressed a return to India's Gurukul system. He said, "There was a time when education and health were means by those who had enough resources to give back to the society... Our education must align with India's traditional Gurukul system."

He called on corporates to use CSR funds to create world-class educational institutions: "I appeal a mindset change with the corporates. India has been home to philanthropy. Pool your CSR resources to create by converging Institutes of global eminence as green field projects, much away from the concept of balance sheets."

Dhankhar encouraged Pondicherry University alumni to contribute to the university's development. "Let every alumni of this institute contribute to this fund. Boys and girls, the amount does not matter, the spirit matters," he said.

He quoted astronaut Neil Armstrong, saying, "A small step by him, a giant leap for humanity... So, for alumni, it may be a small step, but cumulatively, the results will be geometric."

On India's linguistic diversity, the Vice President underlined it as a strength, not a divider. "How can we be divided on languages?... Sanskrit is important globally, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Bengali, and Assamese. I name these 11 because they are our classical languages," he said.

"Our languages indicate inclusivity. Sanatan teaches us nothing but to be in togetherness for the same sublime purpose," he added, appealing to the nation to rise above divisiveness.

Dhankhar urged everyone to reflect on India's achievements, stay grounded in its spiritual values, and unite for a better future.

- ANI