China donates USD one million for Nalanda University revival

Updated on: Thursday, November 17, 2011

Efforts to revive the Nalanda University got a major boost today when China gave a cheque of USD 1 million for building a Chinese-type library, marking the first donation for the ambitious project.

Piloted by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nalanda University revival project has been gaining steam in the past few years with the enactment of a law to give the varsity a stand-alone status with special provisions.
 
Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan formally handed over the cheque to Vice-Chancellor designate of the University Gopa
Sabharwal, fulfilling a commitment made by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his visit to India last year.
 
The event came on a day when the new logo of the proposed institution that represents Asian interconnectivity and harmony between man and nature was unveiled.
 
The Chinese Premier had announced in December, 2010 that the country would provide USD one million for building a Chinese-type library at the proposed varsity.
 
Noting that Chinese scholars gained "immense benefit" from the ancient Nalanda University, Zhang said the donation was one of the "important and meaningful endeavours" that his country was taking in reviving the institution.
 
"The ancient Nalanda University is a monumental example of cultural exchanges between India and China. The revival project is also a key cooperative project of the East Asia Summit," he said.
 
The Ambassador also pledged that the Chinese Government is ready to do whatever it can for reviving the ancient seat of learning.

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