Inaugurating the new Nalanda University campus in Rajgir, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar. Only one day after his trip to Varanasi, this momentous occasion occurs. The new campus represents the fusion of a rich historical history with cutting-edge academic achievement, preparing the ground for a historic event. Political turmoil over remarks made by JDU MP Devesh Thakur toward the Yadav and Muslim populations has prompted this visit.
The Schedule of the Prime Minister
PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bihar on Wednesday following his visit to Varanasi. He will be inaugurating the new Nalanda University campus in Rajgir during his visit. The heads of missions from seventeen different nations will be among the guests in attendance at the inaugural ceremony.
Significance of the New Campus
The university is intended to be a cooperative effort between India and the nations that make up the East Asia Summit (EAS), according to a PMO statement. There will be notable people from 17 different countries at the event.
Nearly 1,900 students may be accommodated on the new campus thanks to its two academic blocks, each with 40 classrooms. It also has a student hostel that can accommodate about 550 students and two auditoriums that can accommodate 300 people apiece. Additional amenities consist of an international center, a faculty club, a sports complex, and an amphitheater that can hold up to 2,000 people.
Historical Significance of Nalanda University Campus
The Bihar Assembly approved a bill to create a new university in 2007 after then-President APJ Abdul Kalam made the recommendation. The university was established on November 25, 2010, and was given 455 acres of property by the government. It was then named a national institution by a special act of Parliament, according to The Hindu.
On September 1, 2014, the new institution opened its temporary location and welcomed just 14 students. The International Convention Center was inaugurated in September 2014 by Sushma Swaraj, the Foreign Minister at the time, at this temporary location in Rajgir, which is 10 kilometers from historic Nalanda.
One of the first residential universities in history was the original Nalanda University, which was founded about 1,600 years ago. The UNESCO World Heritage Site designation was given to the Nalanda remains in 2016. With its cutting-edge features and amenities, the new campus seeks to carry on this rich tradition.
The institution has a sports facility, an international center, two academic buildings with forty classrooms each, two auditoriums with 300 seats each, a dormitory that can house roughly 550 students, a 2,000-seat amphitheater, and more. It hosts instructors and students from a variety of nations, according to the article.
The institution provides 137 international student scholarships, short-term certificate programs, and postgraduate and doctorate research courses.
Political Context
After remarks made by JDU MP Devesh Thakur sparked a political opposition, PM Modi traveled to Bihar. After winning the Lok Sabha seat from Sitamarhi, Thakur expressed dissatisfaction at not getting votes from the Yadav and Muslim populations, who are usually linked to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD. Significant political controversy has resulted from his words.
In a video that went viral, Thakur said that problems involving Muslims and Yadavs would now be secondary. But when people from these groups approached him directly, he promised to treat them with respect. Speaking about an encounter with a Muslim guest, Thakur said, “I made it clear that Yadavs and Muslims should not expect any help from me,” blaming the lack of support brought about by his party’s affiliation with the BJP.
conclusion
An important turning point in the history of education in India has been reached with the opening of the new Nalanda University campus. It is an expression of the nation’s dedication to preserving its historical legacy while using contemporary teaching methods. PM Modi’s visit highlights the significance of this occasion and offers hope for a prosperous future for the university and its international student body.
Follow along for additional information about this momentous occasion, its ramifications for Indian higher education, and updates.
Looking Forward
As it welcomes a fresh cohort of academics, Nalanda University is a monument to the educational legacy of India and its aspirations for the future. The university’s cutting-edge facilities and wide range of academic programs are expected to draw instructors and students from all over the world, promoting an international exchange of ideas and knowledge.