Shashi Tharoor Praises MEA for Reviving Nalanda University's Global Legacy

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has commended the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for its 'unsung contributions' to India, specifically highlighting the revival of Nalanda University after attending the Nalanda Literature Festival. Tharoor, who inaugurated the festival alongside Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, expressed admiration for the new campus and congratulated External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Indian Diplomacy for the achievement. While welcoming the revival of Nalanda, Tharoor noted that India's global university rankings have slipped, with the country no longer hosting any of the world's leading universities. However, he described Nalanda as a powerful reminder of India's civilisational legacy, drawing students from across the world in its heyday. Tharoor attributed the decline in foreign students in Indian universities to a changing trend, contrasting it with Nalanda's global pre-eminence in the past. Tharoor also spoke about the National Education Policy (NEP), which was framed after wide consultations. While acknowledging that some of his suggestions were incorporated in the draft, he cautioned against expecting quick gains in global rankings. 'Aspirations are important, but we need to walk before we run,' Tharoor said, emphasizing the need to 'get the basics right' before striving for excellence in global rankings.