Cynthia Thanda

The usually busy streets of Nalanda University seemed even busier, buzzing with energy on 15^th August 2026.

Students, faculty members and university staff streamed toward the Vishwamitralaya auditorium, Nalanda University Campus, their laughter and excited chatter filling the air as they celebrated the 80^th Independence Day of India.

The ceremony began with the arrival of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sachin Chaturvedi, who proceeded to the flagpole to hoist the national flag. Those gathered stood in attention for the national anthem.

“Yuva Shakti, which is very much the strength of this university and all the universities in the country, I think, are more focused in terms of how we take this task forward. Basically, to bring in what the President of India yesterday described as architects of India’s future. So, youth have been described like that.

And I think that’s absolutely true. Towards the end, I would very much like these architects in our university to also help us shape the administration and the governance component of this university.

We are also extremely delighted in terms of the role that Yuva Shakti or the students have been playing here in this setting,” the Vice Chancellor said as he welcomed the new students, including the growing number of students from Bihar and other countries.

He expressed appreciation to the university staff and faculty members, saying the university had received applications from 72 countries, reflecting its growing international reach. He described this diversity as an important part of Nalanda’s identity and its vision of knowledge-sharing across borders.

He applauded the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for increasing its scholarships for Nalanda University from 33 last year to 135 this year, which several African students are a part of. The Bihar government has also announced 17 scholarships for students from the state. In addition, the number of scholarships for Bhutanese students has doubled from 25 to 50.

The University is also expanding its international partnerships. It currently has 69 institutional partners and plans to introduce semester exchanges with selected universities. It is also encouraging greater student-to-student engagement, particularly with universities in East and Southeast Asia.

It is expected to support student meetings and academic exchanges through the ASEAN-India University network. The university has also established a Centre for Southeast Asian Studies and plans to expand its research centres.

For a young Motswana student, Nalanda is more than a university in India; it is a bridge through which young Batswana gain academic knowledge, international networks and a deeper understanding of India’s development experience.

The university’s growing focus on research in technology, AI, energy and agriculture accords with Botswana’s Vision 2036 pillar of sustainable economic development. The partnership will therefore develop skills that support economic diversification, including representing Botswana in an interconnected Global South.

Nalanda University has expanded its academic offerings to 15 Master’s programmes. Three new programmes have been introduced this year: MA in Science and Technology Policy Studies, MSc in Data Science and AI, and MA in Sanskrit. The university also offers 27 short-term programmes and 54 electives.

The celebration included a panel discussion under the theme ‘Global Justice, peace and sustainability-the role of Universities’. The cultural programme included a Shanti Path: Manglacharan Mantra Chanting by Thomas (Hindu Studies), Poetry on Indian Soldiers by Shalav Choudhary, Skit on Gender Equality on Nari Tu Narayani, coordinated by Dr Smita, Bhutanese traditional dance, Fusion Duet song: Indian and Turkish Cultural Amalgamation and Indonesian Dance, and many others.

The day ended with delicious meals such as Kachori, gulab jamun, anarsaa, and roasted fruits.

© TPA2026