Patna: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday asserted that India stood at an important moment in its educational journey as during over five years of adoption of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there had been a renewed emphasis on holistic, multidisciplinary and value-based education.
Addressing Nalanda University's second convocation ceremony at Rajgir in Nalanda district, Murmu said, "Our ancient traditions of learning were never confined to rigid boundaries. They encouraged enquiry, dialogue and synthesis.
Nalanda must once again embody this spirit bringing together knowledge systems from across disciplines and cultures."The President said that she was pleased to note that the university campus reflected commitment to sustainability, with its journey towards becoming a net zero campus.
She said that at a time when climate change posed serious challenges, institutions of higher learning must lead by example. The academic programmes focused on ecology, environment and sustainable development are both timely and necessary, she noted.
"For close to eight centuries, ancient Nalanda was the intellectual heart of Buddhist scholarship in Asia. Scholars from across the Asian continent came here to study, to debate and to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma.
Some of the finest minds in the history of Buddhist thought lived and worked on this soil. This is a heritage of extraordinary significance. I am happy to note that the University is well placed to build upon this legacy," she added.
Murmu said that India had a deep and living connection with Buddhist philosophy and practice, emphasising that this connection must be nurtured with seriousness and with a comprehensive understanding of India's classical knowledge traditions.
She asserted that Buddhist scholarship must remain rooted in India's civilisational foundations while engaging with its diverse expressions across Asia.
"I am confident that Nalanda University can emerge as a leading global centre for Buddhist studies. I encourage the University to invest in this field with resolve, depth and openness.
In doing so, it will again be fulfilling a role that is centuries old," she remarked. The event was also addressed by Bihar governor Lieutenant General (retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain and external affairs minister S Jaishankar.
This report was published from a syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.
