The story of Xuan Zang Memorial Hall began in 1960-61. The Chinese government had handed over a cheque of Rs 5.7 lakh as its contribution for the project. However, it came to a halt in 1962 following the Chinese aggression. After lying abandoned for many years, it was completed by the CPWD in 1984 and in 2001 it was handed over to the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, an institute dedicated to Buddhist studies under the Government of India’s Department of Culture.

But it remained abandoned till China once again developed interest in it. “Now the Chinese government is investing around Rs 3-4 crore to decorate the memorial hall. They have despatched materials in 12 containers which are due to reach within a couple of days,” said Sinha.

Apart from the two monks, a team of 30-40 members from the Chinese Central Television have taken the ancient Silk Route, the route taken by Xuan Zang, and are scheduled to reach Nalanda on November 18 to produce an 8-hour documentary on the traveller.

If things go well, it is likely that the Nalanda university project could eventually be offered for participation of the other Asian nations at the East Asia Summit.

While the project is drawing strong support from the Asian leaders, the huge amount of finance required will come in only if India can credibly signal that backward Bihar can indeed host such an international venture.

N.K. Singh, an economic administrator who served in many capacities in New Delhi over the years, is currently coordinating the Nalanda project in Bihar.

... contd.