PM Modi inaugurates Nalanda University's new campus

RAJGIR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir in Bihar. The campus has two academic blocks with 40 classrooms having a total seating capacity of around 1,900. It has two auditoriums with a capacity of 300 seats each, a student hostel with a capacity of around 550 students and various other facilities including an international centre, an amphitheater that can accommodate up to 2,000 individuals, a faculty club and a sports complex among others.

The university campus is a ‘Net Zero’ green campus and is self-sustainable with solar plant, domestic and drinking water treatment plant, water recycling plant for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and many other environment-friendly facilities, as per an official statement.

“Nalanda is not just a name, it is an identity, a regard. Nalanda is the root, it is the mantra. Nalanda is the proclamation of the truth that knowledge cannot be destroyed even though books would burn in a fire,” the prime minister said while addressing the gathering. He underlined that the establishment of the new campus would initiate the golden age of India.

The PM highlighted that students were admitted to the ancient Nalanda University irrespective of their identities and nationalities. He also stressed upon the need to strengthen the same ancient traditions in the newly inaugurated campus. He expressed delight in the fact that students from over 20 countries are already studying at Nalanda University.

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International campuses

PM Modi mentioned the recent opening of international campuses of premier Indian institutions and said that he hopes the same for Nalanda University. Calling Nalanda students and scholars the future of India, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal and called upon them to carry the ‘Nalanda Way’ and values of Nalanda with them.

Governor Rajendra V Arlekar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were also present on the occasion. Before inaugurating the new campus, Modi visited the ‘Nalanda Mahavihara’, a UNESCO world heritage site located close to the varsity.

Nalanda University was established through the Nalanda University Act in 2010 and started functioning in 2014. The ancient Nalanda University, which existed since the fifth century, attracted students from all over the world. It flourished for 800 years before being destroyed by invaders in the 12th century, according to experts.

(with inputs from PTI)