Create original body of knowledge, President asks Indian scholars

President Ram Nath Kovind  has said that the Indian scholars  should try to create an original body of knowledge which would be useful in dealing with contemporary global challenges. “In dealing with today’s challenges, we can draw inspiration from universities in Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi which had set high standards of teaching and research. Scholars and students from all across the world came to those centres to attain specialised knowledge,”

Addressing the fourth annual convocation of the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Wednesday, Kovind said that ancient system, which had many elements of modernity, produced great scholars such as Charaka, Aryabhata, Chanakya, Panini, Patanjali, Gargi, Maitreyi and Thiruvalluvar. They made invaluable contributions to medical science, mathematics, astronomy, grammar and social development,  JNU is among those select institutions of higher learning which can reach globally comparable excellence,” the President said.

The President said all shades of Indian culture are reflected in JNU. “Names of buildings, hostels, roads and facilities on the campus are drawn from Indian heritage. This represents a cultural and geographical picture of India at its best. This Indianness is JNU’s,” he said.