Jun 20: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated the new campus of the Nalanda University near Rajgir, Bihar. On this occasion, he also planted a sapling of the Bodhi tree- an enduring symbol of Buddhist heritage and Indian spirituality, at the campus. Governor of Bihar, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, MoS for External Affairs, Shri Pabitra Margherita and Chancellor of the University, Prof. Aravind Panagariya were among the dignitaries present on this occasion.
The modern Nalanda University (NU) at Rajgir is located close to the site of the ancient ruins of Nalanda and was established by an Act of the Parliament of India. The University aims to revive the ancient glory of the historic Nalanda as an international institution to pursue intellectual, philosophical, historical, and spiritual studies. The Nalanda University Act provides the basis for implementing the decisions arrived at the 2nd East Asia Summit (EAS) (Philippines, 2007) for the establishment of NU and at the 4th East Asia Summit (Thailand, 2009). While the Nalanda University Act was passed by Parliament in 2010, the real impetus for the construction of the project came under the direction of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the construction of the present project beginning in 2017. The University adds meaning to India’s ‘Act East’ Policy.
Along with India, there are 17 Participating Countries in this endeavor – Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Ambassadors of these countries traveled to Nalanda to participate in the inaugural ceremony.
The design and architectural elements of the new 455-acre campus are inspired by the original monasteries and buildings at the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara. The new campus is also a ‘Net Zero Green Campus’. It includes over 100 acres of water bodies (Kamal Sagar ponds), an on-grid solar plant, a domestic and drinking water treatment plant, and a water recycling plant for reusing wastewater as well as over 100 acres of green cover. The University also has a 250-capacity Yoga Center, a state-of-the-art auditorium, a library, an archival center, and a fully equipped sports complex.
The University emphasizes higher education and research, and offers Post Graduate and Doctoral programs in Buddhist studies, philosophy & comparative religions; languages and literature; ecology and environmental studies; sustainable development and environment; and, international relations and peace studies. At present, students from over 20 countries, including India, are enrolled in various courses at the University.
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