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New Delhi: The Partition of India and late Urdu author Sadat Hasan Manto’s life may not be remotely associated with the idea of the Nalanda University. But that was the theme of the first talk under ‘Distinguished Lecture Series’ organized by the Nalanda University. The talk ‘The Pity of Partition: Manto as Witness to History” was delivered by Ayesha Jalal, American journalist of Pakistani-origin at Nehru Memorial Library of New Delhi on Thursday. |
Ayesha Jalal is renowned as the author of the book ‘The Sole Spokesman: Jinnah, the Muslim League and Demand for Partition’ (1985). Jalal is the grandniece of Manto, but that is not exactly the reason for her to be using the platform of Nalanda University. Jalal is known to be the partner of Prof. Sugata Bose, grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Bose, who happens to be in Nalanda University governing board. Jalal and Bose are both in History department of Tufts University, Boston. Jalal career spans Trinity College of Cambridge and Harvard Universities, institutions associated with Prof. Amartya Sen.
The lecture series has not been announced on the website of the Nalanda University. Journalists were not told about it. And Indian Express is the only paper to carry its report next day. Incidentally Nalanda University Vice Chancellor Dr. Gopa Sabharwal herself is co-authoring two books titled ‘From Noakhali to New Delhi: Gandhi 1947-48’ and ‘India 1974: Lives Lived’ with Dr. Anjana Sharma, accommodated as OSD (University Development) in the Nalanda University. Jalal’s intervention might be helpful there.
The idea of Nalanda University as a centre of Buddhist learning as per the Nalanda University Act, 2010 seems down in dumps. Amartya’s friends and their friends are being feted at the cost of public exchequer.
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