LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan bats for Nitish; says Bihar will rediscover its former glory under his leadership

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today expressed hope that Bihar, which was home to centres of learning in the ancient times, would rediscover its glory under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"I am full of delight upon visiting Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda. The tour has helped me learn many things besides gaining mental tranquillity," Mahajan told reporters here upon her return from the Buddhist pilgrimage centres.

The Lok Sabha speaker had embarked on the tour after the conclusion of the 6th Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, India Region, which was inaugurated on Saturday.

"During my address at the inaugural session, I had stated that the state is blessed to have a thinking chief minister. My views were vindicated when I visited Rajgir and saw the state of the art International Convention Centre that has been constructed recently," Mahajan said.

"Rajgir is full of places and things of historical importance which help us learn about our glorious past. The convention centre, where events of national and international significance are being held, indicates that earnest efforts are on to revive the past glory", she said.

"The ruins of Nalanda University remind us of our past failures in preserving our cultural and intellectual heritage. The heritage was not just of Bihar alone but of the entire country. We ought to learn appropriate lessons from our history", she added.

"Bihar will play an important role in India's efforts to retain her past glory", Mahajan added.