The proposed university near the ancient seat of learning in Vikramshila (Bhagalpur), was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 2015 Bihar assembly elections.
In ancient Indian tradition, knowledge was supposed to facilitate both spiritual liberation and perfection in worldly skills, and the historical Vikramshila University, founded by King Dharmapala of Pala dynasty at Antichak in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar was one such epitome of learning and education that attracted scholars from many parts of India as well as other countries. This glorious past that ensured a high standard of learning, is now at the threshold of revival as India’s largest and hundred percent digital University- the Vikramshila University, as the leading learning centre of the modern India.
Vikramshila University.
Vikramshila University emanates evidence of its ancient role as the spiritual and administrative heart of ancient India. In present times, the university revels in the radiance of its heritage while bringing together the modern technology and pedagogy to its ultimate, becoming the most sought after educational institution of all times. The team at the heart of this endeavor, under the able leadership of Mr. Amardeep Singh, a social reformer at core, is determined to bring back its glorious past, making it an unforgettable experience for all the learners.
Seven years on, the proposed central university near the ancient seat of learning in Vikramshila (Bhagalpur), announced as part of the ₹1,25,000-crore special package for Bihar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 2015 assembly elections, awaits land acquisition to get closer to reality.
The Bihar government had offered three sites for the proposed university and the a committee headed by the then Vice-Chancellor of Central University of South Bihar, HCS Rathore, had visited the sites last year and submitted a preliminary report in March 2021 itself regarding one of them. However, there has been no forward movement since then.
Bihar’s education minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the government has identified around 200 acres of land and sent a proposal to the Centre. “For central university, the demand was for 500 acres, which is difficult to find. We have sent a proposal of over 200 acres and await Centre’s response. Once the Centre’s nod comes, we will initiate the process for acquisition,” he said.
The matter was also raised in the Rajya Sabha during the winter session by Sushil Kumar Modi, Bihar’s former deputy chief minister, who sought to know when the Centre would take a decision on the committee’s report and convey the same to the State Government.
In a written reply, the Centre said that the action in such matters are taken as per established procedure of the government. Once land is made available, the Centre will take up infrastructure development for starting academic activities.
“The PM package for Bihar, 2015, provides for establishment of a new central university near Bhagalpur at the historic site of Vikramshila University. The government of Bihar has offered the site for the proposed university and a preliminary report has been submitted,” said Union minister of state for education Dr Subhas Sarkar had said.
Rathore had earlier said that he had given a positive interim report to the Centre pertaining to suitability of land shown to the committee. “The 282-acre plot identified by the Bihar government should be sufficient to start with, but land acquisition has to be completed. It is four kilometres from the ancient site. The decision has to be taken by the Centre,” he said.
Bhagalpur district magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen said that three plots close to the ancient site of Vikramshila had been shown to the committee, which visited the place. “Once we get any communication from the Bihar government and the required funds, the acquisition process will be started,” he said.
Bihar’s glorious history in the sphere of education is marked by two great institutions, Nalanda and Vikramshila universities, both of which predate Oxford and Cambridge. Though the revival of Nalanda has been on and the campus is being developed close to the ancient site, the ruins of Vikramshila located near Antichak village in the Kahalgaon subdivision of Bhagalpur have remained neglected for decades.
Institute of Innovations Research & Development (IIRD) Undertaking (Vikramshila Foundation) is an innovative advance Climate Action, Renewable Energy, Waste Renewable, Agriculture Livelihoods, Employment & Small Entrepreneurship, Special Initiatives & Emergency Response, Solar Energy, aqua farming & Human Rights educational organization created to improve the quality of Advance education in India. Established in 2021 to provide education in the PAN India, Institute of Innovations Research & Development (IIRD) has grown in both scope and scale, with programs today reaching children, farmers and youth across the country.
