Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: February 18, 2004
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_575827,0008.htm
President APJ Abdul Kalam on Tuesday
suggested re-establishment of a university at Nalanda, the ancient seat
of learning, dedicated to the philosophy of Buddha.
"At this critical juncture of universal
turbulence and instability, arising out of mutual distrust and hatred leading
to violence, world needs a university of peace, enlightenment and great
thoughts," Kalam said inaugurating the international conclave on Buddhism
and spiritual tourism here.
Observing that after enlightenment,
Buddha travelled to 45 places in and around Nalanda, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh,
he said to commemorate this great event, it was essential to re-establish
a university at Nalanda, which would cherish and find new meaning in the
philosophy of Buddha.
He suggested that the conclave recommend
the establishment of a 'university of unity and understanding' to the ministries
of human resources development and tourism and culture.
The President, who began his speech
with Buddham Saranam Gachami, received a thunderous applause from the nearly
400 delegates from 25 countries and monks who gathered at the Vigyan Bhavan
for the three day conclave.
