Nalanda - World's oldest university recreated

[smartindian]

one million US dollar aid for the reconstruction of Nalanda University from china

Chinese Ambassador to India, Zhang Yan has announced one billion US dollar aid for the reconstruction of Nalanda University.

Yan made the announcement after meeting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Thursday.

"Nalanda University is under the reconstruction. Chinese government has donated one billion US dollars, to support the reconstruction of the Nalanda University," Yan told reporters.

"I will visit the University and discuss with the chancellor or vice-chancellor, how two sides can cooperate with each other to make this project very successful work," he added.

Yan encouraged cultural exchange between Bihar and China other than showing keen interest in the development of the state's agriculture and industry.

"Chinese side is very interested to develop co-operations with the state in many areas, especially in the agricultural industry as well as in infrastructure. Furthermore, we want to develop country exchanges with the state of Bihar," said Yan.

The Nalanda University Bill, 2010, will help begin a Central university in Nalanda district, on the lines of the ancient university, which was founded during the 5th century A.D and became a centre of learning for students from across South and East Asia.

Singapore, China, India, Japan, had announced a proposed plan to restore and revive the ancient University as Nalanda International University in 2006. (ANI)

http://www.chinanews.net/story/734309/ht/China-announces-donation-for-Nalanda-University

http://www.hindustantimes.com/audio...cient-Nalanda-University/Article2-653133.aspx

 

[smartindian]

 

[civfanatic]

In ancient times Nalanda was the intellectual heart of the world. Students from all over Asia came there to study and exchange ideas.

Reviving that history of intellectual accomplishment is a great and important task.

 

[maomao]

Its a good move, Nalanda University is heritage of not just India, but it belongs to China, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea and all of south-east Asia too, so contribution has to be shared by everyone (depending on the capacity to share). Further, Rejuvenating the old cultural spirit of knowledge, would enhance mutual trade and understanding of each other and friendly relations.

 

[kickok1975]

Very good move, I'm proud Chinese government did such thing.

 

[warriorextreme]

good news indeed..i wish nalanda gains its glory back..

 

[Tshering22]

Too bad that we don't have Takshashila (Taxila of Pakistan today) anymore. Otherwise that ancient Ayrvedic city could have also been a part of our ancient heritage and a field of cooperation.

 

[Tshering22]

In ancient times Nalanda was the intellectual heart of the world. Students from all over Asia came there to study and exchange ideas.

Reviving that history of intellectual accomplishment is a great and important task.

Not just Nalanda, but Takshashila, Rajgreeha, Pataliputra, etc as well. But this is a great initiative.

 

[Oracle]

Good move. Hiuen Tsang had visited Nalanda University and we have a Hiuen Tsang Memorial there. China however should keep a tab on that money to make sure every penny is used on the right track.

Edit: Vid says 1 milliong dollars, news says 1 billion dollars!

 

[Welcome]

i was also surprised after seeing this One billion Dollar(Rs.4600 crore), but it's a 1 million dollar(4.6 crore).

 

[smartindian]

China 450cr for Nalanda
- Envoy on Bihar visit also offers to help industry
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Patna, Jan. 20: China today announced aid worth $100 million (about Rs 450 crore) for the upcoming Nalanda International University and offered to help Bihar develop agriculture-based industries and infrastructure.

The offers, which came during Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan's maiden visit to Bihar, have brightened the state's hopes of attracting international investments.

A week ago, World Bank president Robert B. Zoellick had visited Bihar and agreed to release $220 million (Rs 990 crore) for the reconstruction of the area devastated by the Kosi floods.

Like Zoellick, Zhang praised the development agenda of chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has said attracting investments would be one of his priorities.

The ambassador credited Nitish with bringing in "many positive changes". He said: "I am happy to learn that the Bihar chief minister has been executing fast-paced development in Bihar."

Zhang, who is scheduled to visit Nalanda, Rajgir and other Buddhist sites tomorrow, recalled China's centuries-long cultural and educational bonds with India in general and Bihar in particular.

"I am excited and extremely happy to visit the land which the great Chinese scholar and Buddhist monk, Hiuen Tsang, had visited and studied at way back in the seventh century AD," Zhang said at a joint media interaction with Nitish.

The ambassador predicted that the Nalanda International University, which is coming up with the support of several Asian countries, would be an "excellent platform for cooperation among the countries concerned".

He said China could go a long way in helping Bihar set up agriculture-based industries and develop other areas of infrastructure.

"China is relatively better at agriculture and agri-based industries. It is ready to help Bihar improve its agricultural infrastructure," Zhang said, inviting Nitish to visit China.

Zhang referred to the rise in food prices across the world. "It is quite appropriate to strengthen the agriculture sector to address the growing demand for food products," he said.

Nitish, not known for visiting foreign countries, said he would consider Zhang's invite to visit China.

The chief minister said he had had a "productive dialogue" with the Chinese ambassador on the subject of developing roads, agriculture and industries in Bihar. "We are happy that the Chinese ambassador has shown an interest in the development of the state."

The plan to revive the ancient Nalanda University is a brainchild of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. A $1-billion (Rs 4,500-crore) plan was drawn in 2006 to set up the Nalanda International University.

The Bihar government has handed the project over to the Centre. A consortium of countries including India, Singapore, China and Japan is at work to raise the funds. The Nalanda mentor group is headed by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.

Zhang said he would meet the scholars and experts associated with the project, which he said would turn out to be "a great asset in Asia".


http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110121/jsp/nation/story_13473360.jsp

 

[Blackwater]

ohhh i think chinese thought bihar is in pakistan lollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

 

[amitkriit]

Nalanda - World's oldest university recreated :thumb:

Nalanda: It is the world's oldest university and after centuries, is now set to be recreated. Nalanda in Bihar, a renowned seat of learning and excellence 800 years ago, will soon stand tall again - this time as a truly international university.

The Nalanda International University, a pet project of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, hopes to revive the lost glory of the 4th century university that drew students and scholars from across Asia. The new avatar is also being designed to serve as India's very own centre for conflict resolution, on the lines of the one at Geneva.

A first of its kind in Asia, the university is being funded by India, China, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. The university will have seven schools comprising faculty from India and abroad who will impart teaching in courses like science, philosophy, spiritualism and international relations.

Nobel laureate Prof. Amartya Sen, who was appointed as the Chancellor of the university last week, has already announced that the first two of the seven proposed post-graduate schools will start functioning from next year. Each of the two schools - School of Historical Studies and School of Ecology and Environmental Studies - will have 100 students enrolled for the programme.

The Rs. 2000-crore international project, though, has been plagued by a string of controversies. A tussle between Prof. Sen and former president APJ Abdul Kalam - two of the country's most celebrated brains - saw the project hitting a major roadblock. Dr Kalam walked out of the project last year, apparently over differences with Prof. Sen, who is also the chairman of the Nalanda governing board. He was reportedly upset over the appointment of Gopa Sabharwal - a close aide of Prof. Sen - as the Vice Chancellor of the university.

The proposed university was also mired in financial troubles with funds trickling in slowly from the Centre. The ambitious project, though, finally has a roadmap in place drawn by the Planning Commission as part of the 12th five year plan.

 

[Predator]

Nitish Kumar took a good decision regarding opening Nalanda university but made a wrong choice in appointing rothschild son-in-law to the post of Chancellor. He should remove him and appoint somebody competent.

 

[LurkerBaba]

Amartya Sen. nuff said

 

[trackwhack]

Who decided to put that clown in charge? No wonder Kalam walked out.

 

[Rahul92]

I seriously don't understand Chinese strategy once they offer aid and once they offer helicopters something is seriously going on

 

[Rahul92]

But I'm happy that university is reconstructed

 

[panduranghari]

Who decided to put that clown in charge? No wonder Kalam walked out.

good article here

HaindavaKeralam - Amartya Sen: The Dangerous Delusion

 

[W.G.Ewald]

In ancient times Nalanda was the intellectual heart of the world. Students from all over Asia came there to study and exchange ideas.

Reviving that history of intellectual accomplishment is a great and important task.

Does Nalanda pre-date the Library of Alexandria?


Library of Alexandria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Royal Library of Alexandria, or Ancient Library of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt, was the largest and most significant library of the ancient world.[1] It flourished under the patronage of the Ptolemaic dynasty and functioned as a major center of scholarship from its construction in the 3rd century BC until the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. The library was conceived and opened either during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter (323–283 BC) or during the reign of his son Ptolemy II (283–246 BC).[2]

Plutarch (AD 46–120) wrote that during his visit to Alexandria in 48 BC Julius Caesar accidentally burned the library down when he set fire to his own ships to frustrate Achillas' attempt to limit his ability to communicate by sea.[3] After its destruction, scholars used a "daughter library" in a temple known as the Serapeum, located in another part of the city.

Intended both as a commemoration and an emulation of the original, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated in 2002 near the site of the old library.[4]

In 2004, a Polish-Egyptian excavation team announced that they had discovered the remains of the Library of Alexandria.