'Bihar's rich heritage can boost economy'

Times of India reports :

PATNA: K P Jayaswal Research Institute director Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said here on Wednesday the rich heritage of Bihar could boost its economy,
provided necessary measures were adopted for its conservation.

Addressing a seminar on "Some dimensions of heritage of Bihar" at Magadh Mahila College here, Chaudhary pointed out that so far 3,500 historical sites have been found in the state. But, only five to ten percent of our heritage could be seen, with the remaining lying buried under the ground. According to historical documents, Nalanda University
was spread over an area of 16 sq km, but it is confined to only 1.8 sq km today. The need of the hour is to explore the entire area and excavate the hidden treasure, he said.

He further observed that history is the principal source of Israel's economy. Heritage sites have also got tremendous economic potential. All our heritage sites can be developed as tourist spots, he said.

The college's history department head Jayshree Mishra conducted the programme. Principal Sukhda Pandey pleaded for conservation of the state's rich historical heritage. Those who participated in the deliberations included Asha Singh, Shashi Sharma, Geeta Dwivedi, Meera Verma and Bharti Bagchi. The vote of thanks was proposed by Lali Srivastava.

Lecture series:

Inaugurating a two-day Maharaja Kameshwar Singh Readership Lecture Series organised by the Patna University (PU) Maithili department at Darbhanga House here on Wednesday, vice-chancellor Shyam Lal described Maithili as a very rich language and pleaded for its popularisation and development. Former head of the Maithili department Lekh Nath Mishra presided over the programme.

Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University former VC Munishwar Jha delivered the keynote address. Justice S N Jha, Maithili Academy director Raghuvir Mochi, writer Usha Kiran Khan, former heads of Maithili department Amaresh Pathak and Veena Karna also participated. PU Maithili teacher S N Mehta conducted the programme. PU Maithili head Sheila Chaudhary welcomed the guests. Heera Mandal proposed the vote of thanks.