Patna,(BiharTimes): Former President A P J Abdul Kalam, former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Chancellor of the Nalanda University Amartya Sen were absent on the occasion of the inauguration of this international centre of learning by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday.
As the Nalanda Universityh is considered as the brain child of Dr Kalam, and Nitish always used to call it as his dream project––though it is under the Central government––their absence surprised political observers. Not only that Rajgir is his home turf and he took personal interest in it.
Sources said that Nitish was not invited for this function. However, the Vice Chancellor Gopa Sabarwal tried to downplay Nitish’s absence.
In contrast his bête noire and his former deputy Sushil Kumar Modi was present on the dais along with the chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Though one of the members of the Governing Board Lord Meghnad Desai was present on the occasion Nobel Laureate and the first Chancellor of the University, Amartya Sen, was conspicuous by his absnece.
Analysts attribute his absence to his earlier strong position against Narendra Modi.
Sushma Swaraj, who formally inaugurated it almost three weeks after the classes started with just 11 faculty members and 15 students on September 1 last, said that it would not be fair to say that “we are rejuvenating the Nalanda Univesirty,” which was established in 427 AD but it is in fact the continuation of the old tradition and tradition never dies.
“It’s a link of past, present and future,” she added.
While addressing the function at International Convention Center here she said “the University would serve as bridge to other countries with the knowledge.”
“The Centre had already allotted Rs 2,727 crore, which would be spent in building a high standard campus of the University in next 10 years,” she said.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, while speaking on the occasion, demanded an airport to facilitate forign students and other dignitaries visiting this international university.
Manjhi was present at the function along with several foreign dignatories, besides members of his cabinet.
The other important dignitaries present on the occasion included Lim Thuan Kuan, Singapore High Commissioner to India, and Chalit Manityakur, Ambassador of Thailand to India. Senior diplomats from Australia, Germany, Japan, Laos and Vietnam were also present on the occasion.
Anyway the absence of Kalam, Nitish and Amartya Sen was noticed by everyone.