Patna: During a recent visit to the University site at Rajgir in Nalanda (about 100 km from here), Salman Khurshid, the Cabinet Minister for External Affairs (MEA), informed press that, government is considering, keeping special provision for funding the upcoming Nalanda University, in the union budget for 2013. He further added that, the Ministry of External Affairs will also provide all possible assistance required in this endeavor.
Talking to the media, the minister informed, that the central government is very serious about the establishment of this University. Khurshid was in Rajgir to attend the meeting of a parliamentary consultative committee on foreign affairs. It was the first time ever, when an External Affairs Minister visited Rajgir to take part in the meeting, along with Ministry’s top officials and with MPs. As per sources, Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, was also present for the meeting.
Syed Akbaruddin, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, (who was in Delhi) informed that, the main agenda of the meeting was cultural diplomacy, which held importance for the university, since MEA was piloting its restoration plan. According to sources, the proposed project includes around 16 South-Asian countries along with India.
The university is likely to commence its academic activities from year 2014. Selection process of faculty for two courses is already on floors. Moreover, just like the ancient one, the new Nalanda University will be entirely residential for its students. The University will offer courses in philosophy, science and spiritualism along with social sciences.
Pointing out the historical importance of the University, Khurshid also claimed that the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University, which was ransacked in the 11th century, should be listed in the UNESCO world Heritage sites. Built in fifth century, ancient Nalanda University is believed to be one of the oldest Universities in India.
Offering Buddhist studies, the architectural marvel (University) was home to over 10,000 students as well as nearly 2,000 teachers. In fact, at that time, the University attracted students and scholars from South Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey. However, it was ransacked by an army led by Bhaktiyar Khilji, a Turkish General of Qutb-ud-din-Aibak (the Slave Dynasty), in around 1193, this led to eventual collapse of the University with complete breakdown in 1197.
