External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Saturday that Nalanda University will seek to establish a link between knowledge and society through education, research, innovation and excellence.
"Today, as we inaugurate this great institution, I am reminded of the torch bearers of the great tradition of Nalanda embodied in Nagarjuna, Dharmapala, Padmasambhava, Atisa Dipankara, Aryabhatta and many others who through their commitment, passion and research had contributed to its greatness over the centuries," said Swaraj.
"We are at the threshold of remaking history. Nalanda University seeks to establish a link between knowledge and society through education, research, innovation and excellence. We have a great responsibility as well as a great opportunity," she added.
Swaraj said Nalanda University is the link between the past and the present and the bridge to our future.
"Nalanda has been integral to our Look East Policy and its inauguration today is a testimony to our cooperation," said Swaraj.
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"I wish to convey my gratitude to our partners in EAS who stood with us to realize the dream of Nalanda as an international institution of excellence, bridging the wider region. I wish to thank the Nalanda Mentor Group for its vision and the Governing Body for shepherding the process to this stage," she added.
The External Affairs Minister also thanked the Bihar Government for its steadfast support to the cause of the Nalanda University and the revival of this ancient centre of learning in its new form.
"Finally, I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to the distinguished faculty and students of this new institution. A bright future awaits us," she said.
Asserting that the glory of Nalanda University is deeply etched in history, Swaraj said: "There are records of its achievements and contributions not only in the writings of our scholars, philosophers, scientists and monks but also in the memoirs of several travelers, including, those from afar."
"Along with other Universities of ancient India such as Taxila and Vikramshila, Nalanda played a singularly important role in promoting excellence, innovation and progress for our society," she added.
Swaraj said the Nalanda was a centre of excellence devoted to the study of philosophy and Buddhism and was also a centre for the advancement of science and technology.
"The endeavour of Nalanda was to promote an understanding of knowledge in all its dimensions and to connect this with the society that it existed in. Understandably, it was a magnet, attracting scholars from all around, from the West to the East," said Swaraj.
"Nalanda contributed deeply to connectivity between India and the broader region. Nalanda was the bridge and Nalanda was the fountain. The new Nalanda University will seek to revive that tradition," she added.
Swaraj said the growth and development of the Indian economy and society over the last few decades has awakened new interest in our heritage and our civilization.
"It has also awakened interest in institutions, monuments and practices of the past. We seek to understand the past to build our future, in the full knowledge of our role in an interconnected world. The new Nalanda University is part of this endeavour," said Swaraj.
"I am grateful to the Nalanda Mentor Group for providing a template for the establishment of this institution and to the East Asia Summit for having adopted it as a common objective of member states," she added.
Expressing confidence that the new Nalanda University that will come up in the vicinity of the old University will be a state of the art institution, Swaraj said: "I am pleased that the architectural design for this project is rooted in our traditions and has a green approach. I am happy that work has commenced on the ground towards the construction of the new buildings and we shall soon have the new premises for our students and teachers."
"The university will focus on providing an environment that not only rekindles the spirit of enquiry and research that prevailed in the old Nalanda but also connects us to partners in the region and beyond. This university will be a centre of excellence with a contemporary relevance devoted to cutting edge research that is networked to leading institutions," she added.
The External Affairs Minister called upon the university's management to work in full earnest to realize the goals that have been established for this institution.
"I am certain Nalanda University will formulate an academic curriculum and create an environment that attracts the best faculty and students from across the world," said Swaraj.
"I am also certain that Nalanda University will develop connections with the intellectual community as well as different sections of society to promote excellence and innovation, just as the old Nalanda University did," she added.
