President Pranab Mukherjee Visits Vikramshila University Ruins
New Delhi:
During his visit to the excavated ruins of the Vikramshila University in Bihar, President Pranab Mukherjee said that he would talk to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi about revival of the university. Stressing on the contribution of Vikramshila University in the field of research in ancient India, he said that Vikramshila should not be limited to just a museum but should be revived as a university. He said that ancient centers of learning like Nalanda, Takshshila, and Vikramshila played a crucial role in research and learning. He said that he had been fascinated by these seats of learning since his college days and was overwhelmed to see how much people in the region looked forward to its revival.
According to Press Trust of India reports, the President emphasized the need to improve higher education infrastructure in the country. He said that these seats should provide the necessary scholastic stimulation to students. He said, "This is possible only with top class institutions adoring our higher education landscape."
Stressing the need for such universities in India, the President said that the University should be developed like Nalanda. He added that the resurrection of Vikramshila University will be an important step toward preserving Indian Civilisational ethos. He also said that once the university is revived, it should have the best faculty and should pursue collaborations with foreign institutions. He also advocated tie-ups with local innovators.
He said that the monuments and museum of ancient Vikramshila were a reflection of an era when research and learning flourished. Vikramshila Universty was one of the two important ancient centers of Buddhist teaching in India during Pala dynasty rule. It was established by King Dharmapala as a centre of Buddhist and Tantric learning. The university was primarily inhabited by Buddhist monks and scholars for research in ancient India.
The Vikramshila University prospered for four centuries before its decline in the 13th century. The university was the learning ground of many illustrious alumni including Dipankara who is credited as the founder of Lamaism in Tibet. Some other famous alums of the university were Ratna Vara and Jetari. The scholars form the university were invited by foreign countries to spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion.
The President arrived at Kahalgaon by a state government chopper yesterday and stayed the night at National Thermal Power Corporation's guest house.
In August 2015, PM Narendra Modi had announced a package of Rs. 500 crore for the university and the state government was expected to provide 500 acres of land for the revived institute. It is expected that the President's visit would help develop Vikramshila as an international tourist spot after its inclusion in the 'Buddhist Circuit'.
(With Inputs from Press Trust of India)
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According to Press Trust of India reports, the President emphasized the need to improve higher education infrastructure in the country. He said that these seats should provide the necessary scholastic stimulation to students. He said, "This is possible only with top class institutions adoring our higher education landscape."
Stressing the need for such universities in India, the President said that the University should be developed like Nalanda. He added that the resurrection of Vikramshila University will be an important step toward preserving Indian Civilisational ethos. He also said that once the university is revived, it should have the best faculty and should pursue collaborations with foreign institutions. He also advocated tie-ups with local innovators.
He said that the monuments and museum of ancient Vikramshila were a reflection of an era when research and learning flourished. Vikramshila Universty was one of the two important ancient centers of Buddhist teaching in India during Pala dynasty rule. It was established by King Dharmapala as a centre of Buddhist and Tantric learning. The university was primarily inhabited by Buddhist monks and scholars for research in ancient India.
The Vikramshila University prospered for four centuries before its decline in the 13th century. The university was the learning ground of many illustrious alumni including Dipankara who is credited as the founder of Lamaism in Tibet. Some other famous alums of the university were Ratna Vara and Jetari. The scholars form the university were invited by foreign countries to spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion.
The President arrived at Kahalgaon by a state government chopper yesterday and stayed the night at National Thermal Power Corporation's guest house.
In August 2015, PM Narendra Modi had announced a package of Rs. 500 crore for the university and the state government was expected to provide 500 acres of land for the revived institute. It is expected that the President's visit would help develop Vikramshila as an international tourist spot after its inclusion in the 'Buddhist Circuit'.
(With Inputs from Press Trust of India)
Click here for more Education News
