Chhattisgarh Government has approved the construction of 22 Nalanda Campuses across the state, reiterating the importance of fostering a knowledge-based society.
Raipur, Chhattisgarh (India CSR): In a significant step towards building an educational hub in Raigarh, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) worth INR 42.56 crore was signed between Raigarh Municipal Corporation and NTPC Lara under CSR for the construction of the Nalanda Campus. The agreement was signed in the presence of Chhattisgarh’s Finance Minister, Mr. OP Chaudhary, who highlighted the importance of the Nalanda Campus in shaping Raigarh as a beacon of knowledge and education.
Transforming Raigarh into an Educational Hub
Finance Minister Mr. OP Chaudhary emphasized that the upcoming Nalanda Campus would be a milestone in transforming Raigarh into an education hub. He further stated that the knowledge-based society envisioned through this project would lay the foundation for future generations.
“The Nalanda Campus will be instrumental in making Raigarh a hub for education. It will be a milestone in the development of our new generation,” said Mr. Chaudhary during the signing ceremony.
State-of-the-Art Library Facilities
The proposed Nalanda Campus will include a state-of-the-art library that will provide a 24/7 study zone, with the capacity to accommodate over 500 students simultaneously. This library will be well-equipped with a collection of over 25,000 books, providing students with access to an extensive range of international e-books.
Additionally, the campus will feature three conference halls and a cafeteria, making it conducive for group studies and discussions. There will be dedicated resources for the preparation of competitive exams such as Civil Services, medical and engineering entrance exams, and the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). For younger students, there will be a separate kid’s study zone, providing books and study materials as per the syllabus. Furthermore, seminars on career guidance will be organized regularly to help students navigate their educational journey.
Empowering the Future Generation
Speaking at the event, Mr. Chaudhary remarked, “It is our dream to see Raigarh achieve new heights of development, where our upcoming generation plays an active role.” He highlighted the collaboration with NTPC for building the Nalanda Campus, stating that the tender process has been approved.
Emphasizing the need for a knowledge-based society, Mr. Chaudhary said, “The future will be driven by knowledge. From a $266 billion economy in 1991, India has grown into a $3.7 trillion economy in 2024. As the economy strengthens, every section of society benefits, but those who stay updated with knowledge reap the maximum rewards.”
Creating an Ecosystem for Learning
Reflecting on the success of the Nalanda Campus in Raipur, Mr. Chaudhary pointed out that it has become a center where students from across the city come to study, and many of them have reached the interview stages of UPSC and State PSC exams. The library also draws aspirants of other competitive exams, creating a robust ecosystem for education.
He further mentioned that the government has approved the construction of 22 Nalanda Campuses across the state, reiterating the importance of fostering a knowledge-based society.
The Origin of the Nalanda Campus Idea
Sharing the inspiration behind establishing the Nalanda Campus, Mr. Chaudhary recalled his experience when he went to Bhilai for further studies after completing his 12th grade. While Bhilai had an excellent environment for preparing for medical and engineering entrance exams, there was a lack of resources for Civil Services preparation. Even large bookstores did not have sufficient books for Civil Services, which forced him to travel to Delhi to find the required study material.
“In Raipur, even good books were not easily available, so I went to Delhi, where I found all the books in a single depot. This made me realize the stark difference—the lack of the right books and environment meant that people from our region were not being selected for Civil Services,” he explained.
Mr. Chaudhary further elaborated that it was this experience that inspired him to establish the Nalanda Campus in Raipur when he became the Collector, providing young aspirants the resources and environment needed for success. “Today, hundreds of young people are advancing on the path to success by benefiting from this facility,” he added.
A Lesson from Personal Experience
Mr. Chaudhary also shared a personal anecdote about how he had not been selected for the Navodaya competitive exam, mainly due to a lack of proper guidance and preparation. He emphasized that having faced such challenges, he felt compelled to find solutions for others when he was in a position of authority.
Dantewada’s Nanhe Parinde Project
Mr. Chaudhary mentioned another project close to his heart—the Nanhe Parinde project in Dantewada. The project was aimed at selecting children from remote, impoverished, and Naxal-affected families and preparing them for the 5th-grade competitive exams for admission into Navodaya and Sainik Schools. Today, many of these children are doing well in their lives, reflecting the success of such initiatives.
The Nalanda Campus in Raigarh, supported by NTPC, is expected to not only provide world-class infrastructure but also foster an environment of learning and intellectual growth, helping thousands of students across the region to pursue their academic dreams.
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रायगढ़ में CSR से नालंदा परिसर के निर्माण हेतु 43 करोड़ का निवेश I India CSR Hindi
(India CSR)
