By Vishak Ratheesh Nair
The second convocation of Nalanda University held on 31 March 2026 at Rajgir, Biharmarks a significant moment in India’s effort to situate higher education within a broader civilisational and diplomatic framework. Presided over by the President of India H.E Droupadi Murmu, the ceremony brought together eminent figures from governance, diplomacy and academia highlighting Nalanda’s growing stature as both an institution of learning and a symbol of India’s civilisational outreach.
The presence of Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Secretary (East) P. Kumar anand Joint Secretary (Nalanda Division) Smt. Archana Nair underscores a purposeful convergence between academia and diplomacy. In this context, Nalanda emerges not merely as a university but as a key node in India’s cultural diplomacy particularly in advancing its engagements across Asia.
A major highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies by the Secretary (East) in alignment with the vision articulated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 22nd ASEAN–India Summit in 2025. The convocation was further distinguished by symbolic interventions including the planting of a Bodhi tree sapling and the inauguration of the 2000-seater,state-of-the-art ‘Visvamitralaya’ auditorium- each reflecting a thoughtful integration of heritage, infrastructure and cultural meaning.From an academic perspective, the University continues to advance a distinctive pedagogical framework under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor Professor Sachin Chaturvedi. Its emphasis on interdisciplinarity, sustainability and the synthesis of classical knowledge traditions with contemporary global concerns reflects a forward-looking intellectual orientation.
This trajectory is effectively complemented by the Registrar Dr.Ramesh Pratap Singh Parihar, whose administrative leadership has strengthened institutional governance and facilitated sustained expansion.With scholars graduating from across the world, the ceremony reflected Nalanda’s enduring legacy- one where knowledge, dialogue and global engagement coalesce to shape a shared and meaningful future.
