Bihar's ancient Nalanda University re-starts

The ancient Nalanda University located in Rajgir city of Bihar's Nalanda district will start again today as classes are scheduled to begin in its newly established campus.

The event will also mark the completion of former President APJ Abdul Kalam's proposed idea which he had come up with in 2006. According to Gopa Sabharwal, Vice-Chancellor, Nalanda University, the university will witness a low key launch with classes for the School of Ecology and Environmental Studies and the School of Historical Studies beginning today. Adding to it, she also said that they have decided to have a big function when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit the university on September 14.

The University came into existence by the Nalanda University Act passed by the Parliament. The university has Economist Amartya Sen as its Governing Body's Chairman, while among its members are some of the renowned teachers from various countries. Former Foreign Minister of Singapore George Yeo and Ministry of External Affairs Secretary Anil Wadhwa are also part of the governing body.

The Nalanda University was established in the fifth century during the Gupta dynasty and was once flocked by thousands of scholars and thinkers from across the world.