Japanese envoy to discuss Nalanda university proposal

Patna, Oct 6 (IANS)

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.