Out of my mind: Farewell to Nalanda

We had a blank sheet of paper on which to write, but unlike any other new university (SAARC University, for example) the burden of history was heavy on us. Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, was very supportive and gave a plot of nearly 500 acres for the site of the new university. There will soon be a beautifully designed campus with zero energy, water and waste emission. The design was selected through an international competition.

The Bihar government also gave premises in Rajgir to house the university, while the new campus is being built. There is accommodation for students as well as for faculty. The campus expanded one department at a time. Students and faculty are international as well. While planning the university, we met in Asian capitals —Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore — as well as New York, and of course Delhi and Patna.

The ideas of how to build the new university, a post-graduate institution to begin with, emerged from our discussions. We had taught or been in decision-making positions at universities around the world. We chose Dr Gopa Sabharwal as vice-chancellor to the surprise of many. Had Nalanda been an ongoing university in an urban centre, a senior distinguished academic could have been attracted. But going to Rajgir and building a university from scratch is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Last August, Nalanda University had its first convocation, 10 years on from where our Mentor Group started. Once again Pranab Mukherjee was there as President and Visitor to the university.

Our work is finished. We have been disbanded and a new board will replace us.

Ab tumhare hawale Nalanda saathiyo.