Nalanda Global University to start session from next year:Kalam

Patna, Feb 08 (UNI) The concept of Nalanda International University, the dream project of former President A P J Abdul Kalam to enlighten the peace-loving people of the universe will be a reality by next year.

This was announced here by Dr Kalam while talking to newsmen this evening after chairing the first Board meeting of the proposed university, about 65 km from Patna.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar Human Resources Development Minister Brishen Patel and Chairman State Planning Board N K Singh.

Describing the 450-acre site near the ruins of the ancient university under the same name as ''beautiful and perfect'', Dr Kalam showed the blueprint of the proposed centre of diversified learning and said the first academic session of the truly international centre of learning was expected to begin from next year itself.

With the Bihar Government under the leadership of the Chief Minister leaving no stone untuned to realise his long cherished dream, he was confident that soon it would stand up as one of the best centres of learning in the world by all means, the former President emphasised.

Further elaborating, he said the university was aimed at meeting the demands of the entire ''peace-loving and enlightenmed citizens of the world'' on the basis of three ideas like providing value based education, transforming religion into spirituality and by showing the path of economic prospecrity to all.

Though the basic structures of education and courses were yet to be defined, the university's first Board meeting had emphasised on achieving proper synergy among science, technology, religion, arts and crafts.

Referring to the role of the state government as the facilitator of the entire project, whose initial cost had been pegged at Rs 80 crore, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his govnmenmt had already acquired about 450 acre of land in the area by paying handsome compensation to the displaced farmers and villagers.

'' We shall soon acquire another about 550 acre of land from about 200 surrounding villages for construction of different campuses and other buildings of the proposed university, '' the Chief Minister said adding global tenders would soon be floated to select the most suitable architecture.

The government will also set up the boundary wall around the site and arrange construction of connecting roads and supply lines of water and power.

Asked about the fundings of the mighty project, the Chief Minister said, '' Apart from arranging own fund, we will approach different fdinancial institutions to lend money on long term basis.

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