JNU alumnus funding Vivekananda's statue in campus: University

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Monday said one of its alumni was "voluntarily managing all the expenses" involved in the installation of Swami Vivekananda's statue in the campus.

The statement comes days after the teachers' association and the students' union had questioned the source of funds for the construction of the statue, which will be set up next to the administration block, opposite the statue of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Executive Council of the varsity had approved of the installation of the statue in its meeting last year in June.

"Jawaharlal Nehru University will be celebrating the singular contribution of Swami Vivekananda to India's intellectual and philosophical heritage by installing a statue of this great son of India," said the varsity's registrar Pramod Kumar.

"JNU expresses immense pleasure to one of its alumni who is voluntarily managing all the expenses involved in making and installation of the statue," he added.