Rajgir: A 19-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, led by Rajya Sabha MP and committee chairman Sanjay Kumar Jha, visited Nalanda University on Tuesday as part of its study tour of the Nalanda-Rajgir region.
The delegation was welcomed at the university campus with a traditional ceremony. Members of Parliament from both Houses, including Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Manoj Tiwari and Sudha Murty, were part of the delegation.
Panel reviews university’s global outlook
The MPs toured the campus and interacted with vice-chancellor Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, faculty members, officials and students.
The discussions covered the university’s academic programmes, international student community, research collaborations, campus development and its role as a contemporary institution drawing on Nalanda’s historical legacy.
Chaturvedi briefed the delegation on the university’s academic programmes and growing international presence. He also highlighted its cross-cultural learning environment, with students and scholars from different countries studying and working together.
Net-zero campus draws attention
The delegation also discussed Nalanda University’s Net-Zero campus and its integrated approach to renewable energy, water management and sustainable infrastructure.
Members expressed interest in the university’s efforts to combine Nalanda’s historical legacy with contemporary education and research.
Jha praised the transformation of the university and its growing international presence. He said the revival of Nalanda had taken concrete shape after nearly 800 years.
He noted that the university now has more than 1,000 students, a Net-Zero campus and integrated power and water systems, while its international academic presence continues to expand.
Focus on students, tourism and global reach
The discussions also covered ways to increase international student participation, encourage greater participation of students from Bihar and strengthen the university’s international visibility.
The delegation also examined opportunities to develop a stronger Buddhist and heritage tourism ecosystem in the Nalanda-Rajgir region.
Sudha Murty reflected on Nalanda’s historical importance and expressed hope that the modern university would achieve a stature matching the legacy of the ancient centre of learning.
Rudy appreciated the integration of Nalanda’s historical legacy with a modern and environmentally conscious campus, while Manoj Tiwari highlighted the potential for further development of the university’s academic and tourism ecosystem.
Imran Pratapgarhi described the interaction with students and staff as an important part of the visit, saying it gave committee members a direct understanding of the university’s contemporary academic environment.
Study tour covers Nalanda-Rajgir tourism potential
The visit formed part of the committee’s broader review of heritage sites, tourism infrastructure and visitor facilities in Nalanda and Rajgir.
The committee is also examining the potential to develop the region as an integrated heritage and Buddhist tourism destination.
The university expressed appreciation for the committee’s visit and its discussions on strengthening Nalanda’s academic, cultural and international engagement.
The delegation included Sanjay Kumar Jha, Ajay Kumar Mandal, Anurag Sharma, Devesh Chandra Thakur, K. E. Prakash, Manoj Tiwari, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Rahul Kaswan, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Gola Babu Rao, Imran Pratapgarhi, Keshari Dev Singh Digvijay Jhala, Nadeemul Haque, R. K. Chaudhary, S. Kalyanasundaram, Sudha Murty and June Malia.
