{
  "id": 11825306,
  "title": "‘We should find our own lexicon’: Nalanda Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi on India’s soft power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/we-should-find-our-own-lexicon-nalanda-vice-chancellor-sachin",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T02:14:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/nalanda-vice-chancellor-sachin-chaturvedi-interview-10905622/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nalanda University Vice Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi discussed the university's plans for a library and its role in shaping India's foreign policy through soft power. The five-story, stupa-shaped library will be inaugurated in December, featuring approximately 3.5 lakh books, with a focus on digitisation to prevent the destruction experienced by the ancient Nalanda University. The library will include sections on historical texts, contemporary works, and commentary by students.\n\nChaturvedi explained the concepts of Shastra, Shaastra, and Shaastrartha, highlighting the importance of structured intellectual debate in the context of AI's growing influence. He addressed the controversy surrounding the promotion of Hinduism and Sanatan studies, emphasizing the need for balanced and fact-based academic discussions.\n\nThe university's International Relations and Peace Studies (IRPS) program has attracted students from 36 countries, with plans to establish a separate peace studies centre. Nalanda University's architecture and economic framework reflect ancient Indian design principles, contrasting with the colonial structures that have often dominated global education.\n\nThe university seeks to promote a comprehensive understanding of statecraft by incorporating Jain philosophy alongside Buddhist and Hindu traditions. The opening of the Gandhi Zayed Centre for Peace, Tolerance and Sustainability, and the introduction of courses in various Indian philosophies, including Sanatan, aims to challenge allegations of saffronisation and maintain academic integrity.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Nalanda University to open five-story library in December with 3.5 lakh books.",
    "Vice-Chancellor Sachin Chaturvedi discusses Shastra, Shaastra, and Shaastrartha.",
    "University's IRPS program attracts students from 36 countries."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Nalanda University's new library and academic programs signal a push for India to assert its soft power and intellectual traditions, challenging colonial legacies and promoting nuanced global understanding.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}