Nitish to begin session of Nalanda varsity next year

Patna, Aug 14: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has urged the mentor group constituted to set up the Nalanda University to begin the academic session next year.

After attending a meeting at New Delhi on Thursday, Aug 14 under the chairmanship of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, Mr Kumar said here in a release that the international university should be linked with 200 adjoining villages, as was the case with the ancient university.

He said it would create a strong bonding with the local people who would feel themselves as a part of the esteemed temple of learning''.

Mr Kumar said the issues related to the structure and setting up of the proposed University and the subjects to be taught there were discussed during the meeting convened by the Ministry of External Affairs.

He said the committee would prepare a draft document based on the suggestions made during the meeting and it would be discussed at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok.

The CM also said the government had already acquired land.

The mentor group was holding meetings for setting up the proposed university in Nalanda and this was its third meeting.

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam, a ''Visitor'' to the university also attended the meeting.

On earlier occasions, Dr Kalam had suggested several measures for establishment of this seat of learning.

UNI