Honorable Vice-Rector, Distinguished Members of the University Leadership, Respected Deans, Faculty Members, Dedicated Librarians, Dear Students, and Friends of India,

Good afternoon.

It is an honor to stand before you today in the beautiful, historic, and vibrant city of Debrecen. I bring to you the warmest greetings and the deepest sentiments of friendship from the Government and the people of India.

We are gathered here today to celebrate the inauguration of the ‘India Corner’ at this venerated and magnificent University Library, a repository of wisdom that rightfully holds the distinction of being the second largest in all of Hungary.

Debrecen is not just a city; it is a monumental pillar of Hungarian identity, culture, and history. It has long been a bastion of independent thought, spiritual resilience, and unyielding courage. It is a city that has, at crucial turning points in history, cradled the very soul of the Hungarian nation, serving as its capital during times of monumental struggle and rebirth. To walk the streets of Debrecen is to walk through the living history of a people who have always cherished freedom, intellect, and progress. It is entirely fitting, therefore, that such a city is home to one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning—the University of Debrecen.

At the very heart of this great university lies its magnificent library. Throughout human history, libraries have been our most sacred secular sanctuaries. They are the quiet arenas where the past speaks directly to the future, where the boundaries of time, geography, and language dissolve. A book is perhaps the greatest invention of humanity. An extraordinary bridge of empathy and imagination that allows a reader in Central Europe to intimately understand the thoughts, dreams, and philosophies of a writer in the Indian subcontinent.

Yet, a library is more than just a collection of books; it is a living, breathing ecosystem maintained by the unparalleled dedication of its guardians. I wish to take a moment to express my deepest admiration for the brilliant teachers, scholars, and librarians of this institution. It is your tireless dedication, your intellectual rigor, and your quiet, daily labor that keeps the flame of curiosity alive. You do not merely organize paper and ink; you curate human consciousness. You guide young minds through the labyrinth of global knowledge, and for this noble endeavor, we owe you an immense debt of gratitude.

India and Hungary, despite being geographically separated by thousands of miles, have long been united by a shared, defining characteristic: an ancient and relentless quest for knowledge. The Hungarian tradition of scientific inquiry, literary excellence, and academic rigor finds a natural resonance in the Indian civilizational ethos, which has, since the dawn of the Vedas and Upanishads, worshipped knowledge—Vidya—as the highest form of wealth.

It is in the spirit of this shared intellectual heritage that the Embassy of India is presenting this collection of books to form the new ‘India Corner’. This contribution builds upon our longstanding and immensely productive relationship. As many of you will recall, the Embassy had earlier presented a collection of literature to the University focusing on the traditional Indian knowledge system and the ancient Indian science of wellness—Ayurveda.

The University of Debrecen’s broad vision and progressive outlook were powerfully demonstrated when it became the first institution in Hungary to host an Ayush Chair, a dedicated academic seat for the study of Ayurveda, Yoga, and traditional medicine. In a world increasingly looking for holistic, sustainable, and preventive approaches to health and well-being, your university showed remarkable foresight in embracing these ancient Indian sciences.

Today, we expand this intellectual bridge. The books we are gifting to the India Corner encompass but a small slice of Indian literature, history, philosophy, art, economics, and contemporary politics.

India today is a nation defined by its breathtaking scale, its vibrant diversity, and its unstoppable momentum. We are the largest democracy in the world, a colorful, chaotic, yet harmonious symphony of over 1.4 billion voices. But we are also the fastest-growing major economy in the world. The India of today is not just a land of ancient spirituality; it is a powerhouse of modern innovation.

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is undergoing an amazing and unprecedented transformation. We are witnessing a revolution in digital public infrastructure that has brought hundreds of millions of people into the formal banking and digital economy, empowering the poorest of the poor. Our youth are driving one of the world's largest and most dynamic startup ecosystems. We are building world-class infrastructure at a pace never seen before, seamlessly connecting a vast subcontinent.

India is reaching for the stars—quite literally—with our space program successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3 on the uncharted southern pole of the Moon. We are emerging as a vital, stabilizing voice for the Global South, advocating for a multi-polar, equitable, and sustainable world order. The India of today is self-reliant, confident, and deeply committed to global peace and prosperity. It is this modern, dynamic, and transforming India that we want the young minds of Hungary to discover through the India Corner.

By flipping through the pages of these books, a Hungarian student can travel to the bustling streets of Mumbai, the serene backwaters of Kerala, the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, and the cutting-edge tech hubs of Bengaluru. They can read about India’s foreign policy, our economic reforms, our rich cinematic traditions, and our timeless literary classics. It is our deepest hope that this India Corner will act as a window, fostering genuine friendship, deep understanding, and mutual respect between the peoples of India and Hungary.

A library allows us to share books, but universities allow us to share our greatest asset—our youth. I am immensely proud that hundreds of Indian students have chosen the University of Debrecen as their academic home. They have traveled far from their families to study in your classrooms, walk your historic corridors, and contribute to the multicultural fabric of this city.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the University of Debrecen profusely for taking such excellent care of our Indian students. You have provided them with a world-class education, a safe and nurturing environment, and a home away from home. These students are the living, breathing bridges between our two countries. When they return to India, or wherever they travel in the world, they will carry in their hearts a piece of Debrecen.

The longstanding partnership between the Embassy of India and this university is a testament to what we can achieve when we prioritize education, cultural exchange, and mutual respect.

I wish to extend my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to the University of Debrecen, to its visionary leadership, and to the wonderful, warm people of this city. Thank you for your exceptional hospitality. Thank you for your enduring friendship to India. Above all, thank you for your broad, inclusive vision of education that recognizes that in the pursuit of knowledge, there are no borders—only horizons waiting to be explored.

May the India Corner serve as a beacon of light for generations of students to come. May the bonds of friendship between India and Hungary continue to grow stronger, deeper, and more resilient with each passing day.

Thank you.