Nalanda Diary

Dean:

Prof Abhay Kumar Singh

The School of Historical Studies has been at the forefront of academic excellence, with faculty and researchers contributing significantly discourses:

Keynote Addresses:

• 15 May 2025: Delivered a keynote address on From Golden Mean to Global Peace at a UN panel discussion in New York, exploring the relevance of Gautam Buddha’s teachings for global harmony.

• 5 May 2025: As Chief Guest, addressed the International Seminar on The Hindu Polity at T.S. College, Hisua, offering insights into India’s historical governance systems.

• 30 April 2025: Chief Guest at the National Seminar on Yuga Yugin Bihar at Patna University, highlighting Bihar’s historical significance through ages.

• 25 – 26 April 2025: Invited to visit as Guest of Honour in Abhaya Prabhava Kendra, Pune, at the Museum of Ideas.

• 16 – 17 April 2025: Chief Guest in the National Seminar on “Bhartiya Gyan Parampara aur Bhartiya Bhasayein” at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara.

• 11 – 12 April 2025: Inaugural Address in the Geriatric Yoga Workshop at NU, Rajgir.

• 2-3 April 2025: Chief Guest to the VC’ Special Symposium at the 18th N.E.W.S Conference by Lumbini Buddhist University, Nepal.  Delivered Key Address.

Media Appearance:

• 2 May 2025: Featured on DD Bihar’s Bihar Bihan, discussing Nālandā’s role in reviving Bihar’s academic legacy.

Invited Lectures:

• 19 April 2025: Delivered a lecture on Sri Aurobindo’s Reflections on Spirituality at SACAR.

In Pic: Keynote address by Prof Abhay Kumar Singh on the topic  “From Golden Mean to Global Peace at Panel Discussion” on “Teachings of Gautam Buddha – A path to internal and external peace” organised at United Nations Headquarters, New York on 15 May 2025 by The Permanent Mission of India (PMI) at United Nations.

Faculty:

Dr. Elora Tribedy

Publications

• A research paper titled, ‘Heritage for tomorrow: Sustainable conservation through community engagement in Vietnam and Indonesia’ was published by Dr. Elora Tribedy in June, 2025 in the reputed peer reviewed Journal, The South East Asian Review, Volume 49 (pp 71–90), ISSN 0257-7364 edited by Dr. Sachchidanand Sahai and Dr. Manjil Hazarika.

Field Research

• Undertook field research on visual representations and ritual space in the Buddhist monasteries of the Spiti Valley, 2025. Photo documentations of Buddhist murals from 10-16th century CE in monasteries of Tabo, Nako, Poo, Lalung, Kaza, Komic-Tangyud, with cooperation from Shimla Circle, ASI and Buddhist authorities.

Invited Lecture

• 1-5 April: invited by the Director, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, located in Greater Noida to deliver lectures and training to the students of Diploma Course on Buddhist Art and Iconography.

Teaching Fellow

Dr. Tosabanta Padhan

World Archaeological Congress Participation in Australia

22-28 June, 2025

Active Participation in 10th World Archaeological Congress (WAC-10) held in Darwin, Australia .

Presentation in Seminars/ Conferences

• Padhan, T. 2025. Archaeology of the Cyclopean Walls of Rajgir, Bihar, India, World Archaeological Congress (WAC-10), Australia, Theme 20 / Session 06. Flinders University, Dalena, Room No-3:20, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 22-28 June 2025.

• Padhan, T. 2025. Palaeolithic and Rock Art Investigation in Eastern Gujarat, India, World Archaeological Congress (WAC-10) Australia, Theme 20 / Session 07, Flinders University, Danela Room No: 5. 06, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 22-28 June 2025.

Distinguished Lecture Coordination

• 7 May 2025: Coordinated a distinguished lecture by Dr. Bijoy Kumar Choudhary on Telhara: Unfolding the Saga of Resilience and Creativity Through Archaeology, highlighting the archaeological significance of Telhara and its connection to Nālandā’s heritage.

Post-Doctoral Fellows:

Dr. Garima Khansili

Paper Presentation

• 22-28 June 2025: Presented Aspects of Progeny Protection in Ancient India: Exploring Ayurvedic Texts and Archaeological Evidence at the 10th World Archaeology Congress in Darwin, Australia.

• Published A Historical Review of Later Pleistocene Microlith and Upper Palaeolithic Records in the Indian Subcontinent in Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology (2025),

Dr. Azad Hind Gulshan Nanda

• 3-4 June 2025: Presented Cultural Exchanges and Diplomacy along the Maritime Networks of Nalanda and Southeast Asia at T.S. College, Hisua.

Meetings/Discussions

• 12 June 2025: Participated in a meeting with the University of Jambi to discuss the prospects of conducting a seminar/conference or a joint project between Nalanda University and the University of Jambi to study Nalanda-Muara Jambi Connections in the pre-modern period.