In a significant collaboration, the Assam government has joined forces with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to establish a prestigious ‘Chair’ dedicated to the medieval saint, Srimanta Sankardeva. The Chair, named after the revered figure, will be housed within the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies at JNU, situated in New Delhi.
The official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifying this partnership was signed on Thursday in the presence of Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and JNU Vice Chancellor, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
Chief Minister Sarma expressed that this collaborative initiative by the Assam Government aims to promote and propagate the timeless principles espoused by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. The MoU intends to foster discussions and research on the Bhakti movement initiated by Srimanta Sankardeva, both within national and international contexts.
Furthermore, the establishment of the ‘Chair’ seeks to encourage scholarly investigations into the enduring relevance of this great saint-philosopher and his Vaishnavite movement in contemporary Indian society. Srimanta Sankardeva, an esteemed figure in Assam’s cultural and religious history during the 15th-16th century, was an Assamese saint-scholar, social-religious reformer, poet, and playwright.
This collaboration between the Assam government and JNU represents a significant stride in preserving and propagating the invaluable contributions of Srimanta Sankardeva, ensuring that his teachings and ideals continue to inspire generations to come.
