Central University to be Established at Vikramshila with Rs 87 Crore Approval | – Times of India
Bhagalpur: The state govt recently approved Rs 87.99 crore for the acquisition of land at Antichak locality in Kahalgaon sub-division, rekindling hopes for the establishment of a central university named after Vikramshila Mahavihara. The decision came after a continued campaign by social activists and political leaders, who stressed for the need to revive the glory of ancient Vikramshila Mahavihara by setting up a central university there.
Despite initial provisions of Rs 500 crore made by the Central govt in 2015, delays were encountered due to the selection of suitable land.However, recent surveys and spot verifications have been conducted by district and sub-divisional officials to identify the land at Antichak, the excavation site of the Vikramshila Mahavihara, for the university’s establishment. “The process of land acquisition would start soon after the allocated fund reaches us. The state govt is serious in getting the central university established there,” said Bhagalpur DM, Nawal Kishor Choudhary, while talking to TOI.
The ancient Vikramshila Mahavihara, inhabited by thousands of Buddhist monks and scholars for research purpose, was one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala Dynasty, established by King Dharampala (783 to 820 AD), as the ancient seat of Buddhist and Tantric learning. The spot is located at about 50km east of Bhagalpur and 13km north-east of Kahalgaon railway station.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also shown keen interest in establishing a central university to commemorate the legacy of ancient Vikramshila Mahavihara. “Efforts are underway to establish the central university in order to re-establish the glory of ancient Mahavihara soon,” said JD(U) MP from Bhagalpur, Ajay Kumar Mandal.
Similarly, BJP MLAs Lalan Kumar (Pirpainti assembly constituency), Pawan Yadav (Kahalgaon), Er Shailendra Kumar (Bihpur) and others also demanded to speed up the land acquisition process so that the PM Modi’s ambitious project is realised soon.
Meanwhile, members of the Vikramshila Kendriya Vishwavidyalaya Nirman Samiti (VKVNS), spearheading the campaign for the central university at Kahalgaon, thanked CM Nitish Kumar for the allocation of fund for the land acquisition, while urging the DM to expedite the requisite processes.
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