Japanese envoy to discuss Nalanda university proposal
IANS, Oct 6, 2006
Patna, India -- Japanese Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki is slated to pay a two-day official visit to Bihar later this month to discuss the setting up of a university at Nalanda, the site of an ancient Buddhist university, and explore other investment opportunities in the state.
According to official sources here, Enoki's visit Oct 16 would be the first trip by the Japanese ambassador to Bihar after Nitish Kumar took charge as chief minister in November last year.
He will meet Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi apart from other state ministers.
Japan has shown keen interest in investing Rs.4.5 billion for the proposed university at Nalanda, the home district of Nitish Kumar, where ruins of the 2,000-year-old university still stand. The new university will aim to revive the form of teaching prevalent in the ancient university.
According to official sources, Enoki will visit Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Rajgir - all important destinations of the Buddhist circuit in Bihar.
Last month, a Singaporean delegation had proposed a similar investment for a university at Nalanda.
