New research at Nalanda varsity to raise farmers’ income !!

At Rajgir-based Nalanda University in Bihar, a new research entitled “Aquifer Storage & Recovery for Sustainable Agriculture” (ASRA) is being carried out by the School of Ecology and Environment Studies to create a model of “Aquifer Storage and Recovery” (ASR) technology using floodwaters to provide an opportunity to farmers to raise their income.

The research is being undertaken with support from the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research.

The model aims to help farmers of south Bihar to raise their income through agriculture and allied activities with the help of assured irrigation from reuse of water stored beneath the surface during episodes of high rainfall, run-offs and water logging.

The project will benefit farmers by making them co-participants in the process...widespread recharge activities during the rainy season over several years is likely to build up an underground water bank...ASRA research will reveal if there is a net recharge of aquifers and if there is a positive impact on the natural water systems related to underground aquifers,” said a Nalanda University note.

‘Avant-garde courses’

“Innovative research is the only way forward for a global institution such as Nalanda. Our effort therefore has been to have avant-garde courses at the University and research aimed at building new regional structures with global peace and growth in the direction of development through emerging new research,” said Prof. Sunaina Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Aquifer map

The university research is essentially focused on converging water solutions that primarily address the irrigation needs of an agrarian community but could also provide drinking water security with appropriate safeguards.

The project would also deliver a comprehensive aquifer map for recharge and estimation of the potential injection of surface water into the selected aquifer.

“A model for implementation, including awareness, local capacity and chain of facilities, will be available in a manual to ensure sustainability of the technology and wider adoption in the region in areas with similar hydro logical characteristics,” the University note on the research further said.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/new-research-at-nalanda-varsity-to-raise-farmers-income/article29483591.ece

Nalanda University hasn’t received any contribution from East Asian countries since 3 years : MEA !!

Nalanda University is one of the oldest universities in India, dated back to 400 AD was founded during the reign of Gupta Emperor. It was ruined by Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 but in 2006, former President APJ Kalam proposed the idea of reviving the university. So, in 2010, the university came into existence through Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU) between countries making Nalanda University an International Varsity supported by Australia, China, Laos and Thailand. But lately, MEA announced that no funds have been received from the countries for the last three years.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) led by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar informed the parliamentary committee that the last contribution by the participating countries was in August 2016 and only India has been contributing with the last installment released in July 2019.

“Nalanda University is an excellent institution for intellectual, philosophical and historical studies and the delay in the project completion is highly condemnable,” the committee said.

Before August 2016, Australia and China granted $1 million each, Thailand gave $132,000 while Laos gave $50,000. The construction of the university is said to be finished by 2021-2022.

Nalanda University situated in Bihar has been named as an ‘International Institute of National Importance’ by the Parliament of India. Lord Buddha, Mathematician Aryabhatta, Emperor Harshvardhan and Buddhist master Atisa are said to be a part of the original Nalanda University.
Source: https://bit.ly/37smosX

BJP Demands Name Change Of Bihar Railway Station To Nalanda Or Rajgir !

A BJP member today made a demand in Rajya Sabha to name the Bakhtiyarpur Railway Station in Bihar after famous Buddhist tourist spots, saying it was a matter of concern that oppressor Bakhtiyar Khalji who destroyed Nalanda University was still being glorified.
Gopal Narayan Singh (BJP) demanded that Railways immediately change the name of Bakhtiyarpur Railway Station to Nalanda or Rajgir, saying Khalji had destroyed the world-famed Nalanda University and killed 2,000 to 3,000 Buddhist monks.

He said the magnitude of destruction could be gauged from the fact that books of the university kept burning for two to three years.

He said burnt books are still being recovered in fresh excavations in 6 km area around the university and the government should immediately remove the name of the oppressor from all such places.

Raising another issue, Prashant Nanda (BJD) demanded a masterplan for conservation and protection of world famous Konark Temple in Odihsa, a UNESCO heritage site.

Samir Oraon (BJP) raised the issue of neglect of tribals even after over 70 years of Independence and demanded that a separate autonomous university for tribals be set up in Jharkhand.
Source: https://bit.ly/2SG3879

New research at Nalanda varsity to raise farmers’ income !!

At Rajgir-based Nalanda University in Bihar, a new research entitled “Aquifer Storage & Recovery for Sustainable Agriculture” (ASRA) is being carried out by the School of Ecology and Environment Studies to create a model of “Aquifer Storage and Recovery” (ASR) technology using floodwaters to provide an opportunity to farmers to raise their income.

The research is being undertaken with support from the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research.

The model aims to help farmers of south Bihar to raise their income through agriculture and allied activities with the help of assured irrigation from reuse of water stored beneath the surface during episodes of high rainfall, run-offs and water logging.


“The project will benefit farmers by making them co-participants in the process...widespread recharge activities during the rainy season over several years is likely to build up an underground water bank...ASRA research will reveal if there is a net recharge of aquifers and if there is a positive impact on the natural water systems related to underground aquifers,” said a Nalanda University note.


‘Avant-garde courses’
“Innovative research is the only way forward for a global institution such as Nalanda. Our effort therefore has been to have avant-garde courses at the University and research aimed at building new regional structures with global peace and growth in the direction of development through emerging new research,” said Prof. Sunaina Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Aquifer map
The university research is essentially focussed on converging water solutions that primarily address the irrigation needs of an agrarian community but could also provide drinking water security with appropriate safeguards.

The project would also deliver a comprehensive aquifer map for recharge and estimation of the potential injection of surface water into the selected aquifer.

“A model for implementation, including awareness, local capacity and chain of facilities, will be available in a manual to ensure sustainability of the technology and wider adoption in the region in areas with similar hydrological characteristics,” the University note on the research further said.
Source: https://bit.ly/34FbZs3

Nalanda University hasn’t received any contribution from East Asian countries since 3 years !!

Nalanda University is one of the oldest universities in India, dated back to 400 AD was founded during the reign of Gupta Emperor. It was ruined by Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 but in 2006, former President APJ Kalam proposed the idea of reviving the university. So, in 2010, the university came into existence through Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU) between countries making Nalanda University an International Varsity supported by Australia, China, Laos and Thailand. But lately, MEA announced that no funds have been received from the countries for the last three years.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) led by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar informed the parliamentary committee that the last contribution by the participating countries was in August 2016 and only India has been contributing with the last installment released in July 2019.

“Nalanda University is an excellent institution for intellectual, philosophical and historical studies and the delay in the project completion is highly condemnable,” the committee said.

Before August 2016, Australia and China granted $1 million each, Thailand gave $132,000 while Laos gave $50,000. The construction of the university is said to be finished by 2021-2022.

Nalanda University situated in Bihar has been named as an ‘International Institute of National Importance’ by the Parliament of India. Lord Buddha, Mathematician Aryabhatta, Emperor Harshvardhan and Buddhist master Atisa are said to be a part of the original Nalanda University.

Source: https://bit.ly/2sNFkmQ

15th Finance Commission praises achievements of Nalanda University !

The Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N K Singh appreciated the Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University, Prof Sunaina Singh, for making giant strides in building the academic architecture of the varsity besides accelerating the construction work of the new campus from a mere 0.28 per cent to 40 per cent within a year.

Appreciation from the Commission's Chairman and its members came following Prof Sunaina Singh’s comprehensive presentation on achievements of the varsity during the members visit to the campus. Prof N K Singh expressed happiness over the introduction of new academic roadmap, opening a new School of Languages, outreach activities in the villages in varsity’s neighbourhood, administrative reforms, opening health centre for students and staff, fixing norms for financial transparency and so on.

The Chairman expressed hope that he was looking forward to classes being conducted in the new campus early next year. It may be mentioned here that Prof Sunaina Singh after her successful stint in Hyderabad as Vice-Chancellor of the English & Foreign Languages University which elevated to head Nalanda University.  The varsity has partnered with 18 East Asia Summit Member countries to revive, build and promote the ancient seat of knowledge. Prof. Sunaina Singh was selected from among nearly 200 candidates for the prestigious post.

During her presentation to the members of the Finance Commission, Prof Sunaina Singh explained the progress being made by the varsity. Prof Singh also presented to the Commission matters related to the status of enhancement of the academic programmes. The enrollment status of students starting from 12 in 2014 to the current year numbering more than 300, plan of setting up of four research centres and PhD programmes in 2019 indicated the progress being made.

The university is also supporting locals by employing them in various capacities. Prof. Singh wrapped up stating that the aim was to complete the construction by 2020, and introduce four more schools by the time the campus is ready. The members of the Finance Commission team included experts like Shaktikanta Das, Former Revenue Secretary, Prof Anoop Singh, Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, Washington DC and Dr Ashok Lahiri, former Economic Advisor to the Government of India. The Members of the Commission planted saplings to mark the occasion.
Read more: https://goo.gl/UxZdiv

India committed to boosting BIMSTEC connectivity: PM

Making a strong pitch for enhanced regional connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India was committed to working with the BIMSTEC member states in the critical sector and to combating the menace of terrorism and drug trafficking.

“I believe that there is a big opportunity for connectivity — trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity,” Mr. Modi said, addressing the inaugural session of the fourth BIMSTEC summit here.

The Prime Minister said the region had become a meeting point for India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies. “India is committed to working with the BIMSTEC member states to enhance regional connectivity,” he said.

The BIMSTEC is a regional grouping, comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

“There is no country in the region which has not suffered from terrorism and transnational crimes, such as drug trafficking linked to networks of terrorism,” Mr. Modi told the summit, which was inaugurated by Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli.

‘No substitute’

Addressing the summit, Mr. Oli said the BIMSTEC was not a substitute to the SAARC, and the two organisations could complement each other. He underlined the need for implementing the BIMSTEC poverty plan as well as the Millennium Development Goals for the benefit of the member states. He stressed the need for deeper economic integration and collaboration among the members for speedy development of the region.

Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the BIMSTEC member states, situated between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal, face frequent natural disasters such as flood, cyclone and earthquake, and called for “cooperation and coordination” among them in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

“As no single country can move alone for attaining peace, prosperity and development, we need to collaborate and cooperate with each other in this interconnected world,” he said.

For research on art, culture and other subjects in the Bay of Bengal, India would set up a Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at the Nalanda University, he said.

Prime Minister Modi said India will host the International Buddhist Conclave in August 2020 and invited all BIMSTEC leaders to attend the event as guests of honour.

He also said India was committed to enhance its national knowledge network in the field of digital connectivity in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. India also plans to extend it to Myanmar and Thailand. Mr. Modi hoped that the BIMSTEC member states will attend the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi scheduled for October.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-committed-to-boosting-bimstec-connectivity-pm/article24824059.ece