PM lends support to Kalam's 'Nalanda Project'

New Delhi, Jan 7: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is keen to give aconcrete shape to President APJ Abdul Kalam's 'Nalanda Project', whoseobjective is to recapture the glorious traditions of the ancient seatof learning in Bihar and ''provide leadership in world peace''.

Dr Singh stated this while inaugurating the three-day 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which began here today.

In this connection, he pointed out that Singapore, China, Japan,South Korea and other countries in the East Asian and South-East Asianregions were supporting the Nalanda Project.

Dr. Singh also concurred with the sentiments expressed recently bySingapore Foreign Minister George Yeo that the Nalanda project ''shouldemerge as ''an icon of Asian Renaissance'' and ''a centre ofcivilisational dialogue and inter-faith understanding.

He said he was conscious of the importance of educationalopportunities for persons of Indian origin for study in India. ''I wantIndian un iversities to be more open to children of overseas Indians,''he said, while describing India as the land of the ancient universitiesof Takshila, Nagarjuna and Nalanda, which attracted the best of brainsfrom far off places.

Dr Kalam had earlier spelled out the global vision of a ''fullyautonomous academic body'' proposed to be set up at the original siteof the ancient Nalanda university, which would ''work towards buildingan inclusive society in a world free of violence, terror, war, andfear.'' The President said its functional basis would be determinedthrough a ''process of discussion with hundred scholars drawn fromdifferent parts of the world.'' They ''may include those who have beeninternationally recognised for their exemplary contribution to peace inthe world.'' The Bihar governmenthas already drafted a bill on theobjectives and formation of the proposed university.

In Dr Kalam's scheme of things, the concept of ''a uniqueinstitution in Nalanda in the context of current ambience in theworld'' was designed for a "unity of minds" in the 21st century. Itwould draw ''inspiration from the rich historical traditions ofNalanda, Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha got enlightenment, and otherspiritual centres in Bihar.'' Being planned as a multi-disciplineuniversity, it will have a sweeping focus from science and technologyto spirituality.

UNI

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