Nalanda Diary

Independence Day Address by the Vice Chancellor

My dear students, esteemed faculty members, and distinguished guests,

Today, as India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, we at Nālandā University also honour the timeless Nalanda Spirit, a radiant symbol of universalism, inclusion and the free exchange of knowledge that transcends creed, race, and nation. When Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore established Shantiniketan, he envisioned “Yatra viśvam bhavatyeka-nīḍam”, “where the whole world dwells as one nest.” At Nālandā, this ancient ideal from this Yajurveda is not a metaphor but a lived reality. With students from over twenty nations, our campus is a vibrant confluence of languages, cultures, and ideas, all united by a shared spirit of harmony and inquiry.

Our guiding motto, “Āno bhadrāḥ kratavo yantu viśvataḥ”, meaning “Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions”, continues to inspire us. Since antiquity, Nalanda has stood as a global university devoted to the pursuit of truth through equity, inclusion and dialogue. It is this holistic vision that deepens our understanding of patriotism, one that embraces diversity and universal well being.

Our Nalanda University Library, which is coming up as a digitally integrated, globally connected hub of learning. It will house rare manuscripts, multilingual archives, and advanced research resources, encouraging true cross-cultural scholarship. In the past quarter, our students and faculty have represented Nalanda at international platforms, including the World Archaeology Congress (Australia), the Global Conference on Forests and Livelihoods (University of Notre Dame, USA), and the Global South Conference. The School of Ecology and Environment Studies achieved a significant milestone with a patent by our faculty Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya and two of our alumni. Two of our students, Ms. Gargi Gaur from SEES and Ms. Shrabanti Chakraborty from SMS, have been selected to represent India at the ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting – East Asia Summit in Jakarta.

This year, several new initiatives have been launched to further our institutional growth. The Integrated Incubation Centre, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. The “Earn While You Learn” programme reinforces the value of Ātma-Nirbhartā (self-reliance), as a cornerstone of freedom. We are also introducing a new course on the “Spirit of Nalanda”, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary relevance, and establishing the Centre for Studies in Development and Sustainability. It is a matter of great pride that the Gyana Daṇḍa has been entrusted to Nalanda University, marking our responsibility to host the next Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Conference, following its handover from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Significant academic reforms are also underway. The ASEAN and BIMSTEC Fellowships has been increased with the continued support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. A Board of Schools of Studies is being constituted with eminent national and international experts to uphold the highest academic standards. e.

Inspired by the legacy of the ancient Mahāvihāra, our community centered programme Sahabhāgita Saṃvāda seeks to build meaningful relationships with neighboring villages. Through active collaboration, we are sharing resources, conducting sustainability workshops and supporting school-level career counselling and upskilling initiatives. The City Campus or Sahabhāgita Saṃvāda Kendra is envisioned for nurturing skills amongst the villages neighbouring our campus. We have also established the Nālandā International Cultural Centre. This space has been designed as a living laboratory of culture, bringing together music, theatre, storytelling, crafts and ecological wisdom. Through clubs and societies, from debate and photography to poetry, expeditions and sports, we celebrate diversity in every form.

Let us remember our vision, “To become a global epicenter of knowledge that bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary innovation, fostering sustainable development, intercultural understanding, and transformative leadership for a peaceful and inclusive world.”

On this Independence Day, may the flame of knowledge continue to illuminate our path, guiding us toward freedom through wisdom, unity through understanding and progress through compassion.

Jai Hind!