Nalanda once more

Having been wiped off the face of the earth, Nalanda University is all set for a new lease of life. However, amidst all the excitement there are strong reservations.

IT'S not for nothing that Nalanda University still holds its place as one of the world's best-known ancient seats of learning. The university which once had 10,000 students, 3,000 teachers and 9 million manuscripts was destroyed by invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1200 AD. The renowned university, only a small part of which has been excavated , would soon have a new face if Bihar government's efforts were to fructify! The Nitish Kumar-led govt is going to set up another international university in Nalanda which will be patterned on the ancient one. But the ASI, historians and educationists are not willing to buy this mammoth Rs 1000-crore project as a great idea.

"It would be such a loss to the ASI and the nation would lose out on the remains of the actual Nalanda University," exclaims PK Mishra, superintending archaeologist , ASI in Bihar. "The difference between the original site and the upcoming university is just 15 kms. But given that the ancient university was actually spread over an area of 16 kms - a fact confirmed by the satellite survey conducted by ISRO scientists - the new construction will only kill our evidence which may have come up while digging. So, who's going to be answerable for losing the Nalanda remains?" he wonders.

But then why has ASI not intervened till now? "See, the prohibited area for any kind of construction around a heritage site is limited to a radius of 300 metres, which the government hasn't defaulted upon, so officially we can't check them. However, since the new area is within the confines of the old Nalanda University, ideally, the government should have sought our permission before fixing the site," he adds.

But nothing seems to bother the government it seems, as Dr Madan Mohan Jha, Principal Secretary, HRD (Education), Govt of Bihar, contradicts, "Why seek ASI's permission? We are not breaking any law. And as far as Nalanda ruins are concerned they can be found in the whole of Nalanda district on digging. So, does that mean there can be no construction anywhere? But anyway, there's a law saying that any precious or ancient remains found anywhere in India during any kind of construction should be preserved and we will abide by that." Adding further he says, "Though 500 acres of land has been acquired by us for this 10-year-long proposed project, details on how to go about it are subject to change after our next international meet in Singapore later this month which will be headed by Nobel Laureate Prof Amartya Sen."

Historians too have their reservations. Says noted historian Irfan Habib, "There's no way one can replicate the original Nalanda for the simple reason that it was a monastic centre, which dealt in ancient philosophical subjects, while the new University would completely be done on modern lines. Where's the similarity? And why use the name of Nalanda? Though the very name - Nalanda - excites people's sentiments and will pull students from across the world, it's important that these sentiments are translated into constructive work."

Dr Pramod Srivastava, reader , Dept of Western History, LU, says: "People across the world have their own perceptions, convictions and thoughts related with the original university which will be replaced and diluted by this new Nalanda University . So, this name game could cost us heavy. If the new University fails to match up to the name and standard of the original one, it will only spoil the name of Nalanda."

Meanwhile, almost everyone LT spoke to seemed happy with the fact that countries like China , Japan and Singapore are evincing interest in the project. Asks Dr RP Singh, LU VC: "As long as we have a good university in place, what's the problem in seeking help from foreign governments?"