PM Modi Urges Students to Dream Big at Chennai School
At Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya’s 50th anniversary, the Prime Minister highlights youth, education, Thiruvalluvar’s teachings and India’s sporting ambitions.
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 11th Oct: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Sunday, urging students to dream big, think differently and contribute to building a developed India.
Addressing students and members of the school community, Modi said the energy and aspirations of young Indians strengthened his confidence in the country’s future. He said the ideas and solutions developed by the next generation would shape not only India but also the wider world.
“The energy of our youth inspires great faith in India’s future,” the Prime Minister said, encouraging students to make the most of the opportunities available to them.
From Seven Students to 15 Institutions
Recalling the institution’s journey, Modi said the Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra began as a small school in Chennai’s West Mambalam area in 1975 with just seven students and limited resources.
He noted that the educational initiative had since expanded into a network of 15 institutions across Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister congratulated the organisation and its wider school community on completing 50 years, acknowledging the contributions of teachers, staff, parents, alumni and its founders.
He also highlighted the institution’s emphasis on service and patriotic values, recalling an initiative in which children were encouraged to save one rupee a day for the country’s soldiers. According to Modi, the collective effort raised ₹40 lakh.
Thiruvalluvar’s Teachings and Tamil Heritage
The Prime Minister urged students to draw inspiration from the teachings of Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, stressing that education should translate into action in everyday life.
He also recalled presenting a Russian translation of the Tirukkural to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent meeting, describing the classical text as a guide for those committed to lifelong learning.
Referring to Mahakavi Bharathiyar’s connection with Kashi, Modi encouraged students to explore the poet’s life and writings. He urged young people to embrace Bharathiyar’s message of fearlessness and build friendships across regional and cultural boundaries to strengthen national unity.
The Prime Minister also spoke about his personal connection with Tamil language and culture, encouraging students to share Tamil literature, poetry and traditions as they travel across India.
Education and Sports Opportunities
PM Modi highlighted the expansion of India’s educational infrastructure, stating that the number of universities had risen from 750 in 2014 to more than 1,300, while colleges had increased from 38,000 to over 52,000.
He also pointed to the growing presence of Indian universities in international rankings and said students now had more choices and opportunities to pursue their ambitions.
On sports, the Prime Minister said young athletes were receiving improved infrastructure, training and support. He noted that India was preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games while pursuing its ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympics.
Concluding his address, Modi called on students to join the national effort to make India a developed country by 2047, become one of the world’s top three economies, strengthen domestic manufacturing, host the Olympics and send an Indian to the Moon.
