Guwahati, 19 May: The 15th century neo-Vaishnavite scholar Srimanta Sankardev from Assam will soon have a chair named after him at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in this regard between the University and the Government of Assam.
The MoU between the government and the institution was signed on Thursday in Guwahati with the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Ranoj Pegu, the state’s minister of education and Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, the government of Assam’s education advisor was also present with Assam CM. Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the vice-chancellor of JNU was also present for the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma said, “The signing of this MoU for establishment of the Srimanta Sankardeva Chair at School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies of the university is a defining moment.” He also expressed his gratitude to Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit for partnering with the Assam government for the landmark initiative.
This will be the third chair in the name of Srimanta Sankardev to be established with chairs bearing a similar name also existing at Viswa Bharati and Punjab University.
Earlier, cabinet minister for education in Assam, Ranoj Pegu had taken to Twitter to inform about the event. He wrote, “Hon’ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa-led Govt of Assam is committed towards promoting the life & ideals of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva.”
“Reiterating the same, the state govt will be signing a MoU with Jawaharlal Nehru University (@JNU_official_50), New Delhi today, to establish a Srimanta Sankardev Chair at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies of the university,” added Pegu.