Bhutanese students have power and potential to do extraordinary things: PM Modi
Thimphu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the students in Bhutan have the power and potential to do extraordinary things, which will impact future generations, as he proposed extensive cooperation between the two countries in new areas such as space and digital payments.
Addressing the students of the Royal University of Bhutan here, Modi asked them to work hard and take the Himalayan nation to great heights.
"The world today offers more opportunities than ever before. You have the power and potential to do extraordinary things, which will impact generations to come. Find your real calling and pursue it with full passion," he told the audience which included ministers, lawmakers and senior officials.
Noting that there are several challenges ahead, he said, "for every challenge, we have young minds to find innovative solutions to overcome them."
"Let no limitation constrain you. I want to tell you all - there is no better time to be young than now," he told the students.
"As Bhutan soars high in its endeavours, your 1.3 billion Indian friends will not just look on and cheer you with pride and happiness. They will partner you, share with you and learn from you," the prime minister said.
Pointing out that India is witnessing historic transformations in a wide range of sectors, Prime Minister Modi said India is keen to cooperate extensively in new frontiers, from schools to space, digital payments to disaster management.
"We inaugurated the Thimphu Ground Station of the South Asia Satellite and expanded our space cooperation. Through satellites, benefits of tele-medicine, distance education, resource mapping, weather forecast and even warning of natural disasters will reach even remote areas," he said.
Referring to India's space programmes and the Chandrayaan-2 mission, Prime Minister Modi said Bhutan is also on its way to having its own satellite.
"It is even a matter of great happiness that young Bhutanese scientists will travel to India to work on designing and launching Bhutan's own small satellite. I hope that someday soon, many of you will be scientists, engineers and innovators," he told the students.
Hailing the decades old friendship of Bhutan and India, Modi said it is natural that the people of the two countries experience great attachment to each other.
"After all, we are close not just due to our geography. Our history, culture and spiritual traditions have created unique and deep bonds between our peoples and nations," he said.
Recalling a Facebook post of Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering in which he mentioned about Exam Warriors - a book written by Modi to advise youngsters about how to face exams without stress, the prime minister said that post touched his heart.
"Can I tell you something? Much of what I wrote in Exam Warriors is influenced by the teachings of Lord Buddha, especially the importance of positivity, overcoming fear and living in oneness, be it with the present moment or with Mother Nature," Modi said.
He also said that in the 20th century, many Indians came to Bhutan as teachers. "Most Bhutanese citizens of older generations would have had at least one India teacher during their education," he said.
Stating that Bhutan has understood the essence of happiness, Modi said, "Happiness which springs from harmony. The world can do with a lot more happiness. Happiness, which shall prevail over mindless hate. If people are happy, there will be harmony. Where there is harmony, there will be peace."
Soon after his speech, Modi paid his respects at the National Memorial Chorten, a revered monument honouring the late Third Druk Gyalpo.
"A heartfelt tribute. PM @narendramodi pays his respects at the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, a revered monument honoring the late Third Druk Gyalpo," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Modi is here on his second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election in May this year.
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Visionary leader, scholar Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam passes away at 80
New Delhi: Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam, a noted scholar, educationist, and social thinker, passed away peacefully on the morning of January 13, 2026. He was 80. His death has left a deep void in academic, social, and religious circles in India and abroad, where he was widely respected for his lifelong work in education, minority empowerment, and ethical scholarship.
Dr. Alam was born on October 9, 1945, in Bihar, to the late M. Abdul Jaleel. From an early age, he showed a strong inclination towards learning and social issues. He pursued higher studies in economics and earned his PhD from Aligarh Muslim University. During his academic years, he developed a keen interest in Islamic social sciences, economic reform, and the role of knowledge in bringing positive change in society.
Dr. Alam had a long and distinguished professional career that took him across several countries. Over the years, he held key academic and advisory positions, including serving as an Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Finance in Saudi Arabia. He was also an Associate Professor of Islamic Economics at Imam Muhammad bin Saud University in Riyadh, where he taught and guided students from different parts of the world.
He played an important role in religious and scholarly work as the Chief Coordinator for the translation of the Quran at the King Fahd Printing Complex in Madinah. He also served as the Chief Representative of India at the International Islamic University in Malaysia and was an active member of the Islamic Development Bank Scholarship Programme Committee.
Dr. Alam was associated with several national and international bodies in leadership and advisory roles. These included the Institute of Objective Studies, the All India Milli Council, the Muslim Social Sciences Association, the Fiqh Academy, the Indian Association of Muslim Social Scientists, the Indo-Arab Economic Cooperation Forum, and other international advisory boards.
In 1986, Dr. Alam founded the Institute of Objective Studies in New Delhi. The institute was set up with the aim of building a strong research-based platform to address issues related to Indian Muslims and other marginalized communities. Under his leadership, IOS emerged as an important centre for academic research, policy studies, interfaith dialogue, and advocacy for minority rights.
Dr. Alam stressed the need for ethical scholarship, serious research, and practical solutions to real-life problems. During his tenure, the institute published several research works, organised national and international seminars, and supported young scholars and researchers. Many academics who worked with IOS credit Dr. Alam for shaping their intellectual and professional journeys.
Dr. Alam was closely connected with leading Muslim scholars and thinkers across the world. He worked and exchanged ideas with well-known intellectuals such as Prof. Ismail Raji Faruqi, Dr. Abdul Hamid AbuSulayman, and other scholars engaged in Islamic thought, economics, and social reform. His work helped strengthen global networks focused on education, research, and dialogue.
His areas of interest included Islamic economics, minority rights, interfaith understanding, education policy, and the broader project of linking knowledge with ethical and social responsibility. His contributions in these fields continue to be studied and discussed by scholars in India and abroad.
Dr. Alam wrote extensively on issues affecting Indian Muslims, global politics, media, education, and social justice. One of his notable works, The Final Wakeup Call, focused on media freedom, global narratives, and the need to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Through his writings, he consistently argued for informed debate, intellectual honesty, and independent platforms for underrepresented groups.
Beyond his formal roles, Dr. Alam was known as a mentor to hundreds of students, researchers, and social activists. Those who worked closely with him often spoke about his calm approach, clarity of thought, and ability to connect ideas with action. He encouraged young scholars to think independently, work collaboratively, and remain grounded in ethical values.
Dr. Alam was widely admired for his leadership skills, organisational ability, and deep concern for the poor and the marginalized. He was known for his humility, discipline, and unwavering commitment to public service. Colleagues recall him as someone who combined strong principles with a practical understanding of social realities.
Dr. Muhammad Manzoor Alam leaves behind a rich legacy of scholarship, institution-building, and social engagement. The institutions he helped build and the people he mentored continue to carry forward his vision of knowledge-driven social change and justice.
He is survived by his family, students, and a wide circle of admirers across the world.
Condolence prayers have been offered, seeking Allah’s forgiveness for him, elevation of his status in Jannah, and the continuation of his work through future generations.
