Second Prakrit University in Bihar: Ananth Kumar

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Friday, said that the country's second International Prakrit University will be established at Vaishali in Bihar, the birth place of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. It has to be mentioned that the ground work is under progress to establish the first such university at Shravanabelagola.

The minister was addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony of the International Prakrit Conference, here. Ananth Kumar said it is a proud moment for Karnataka as the first Prakrit University is being established at Shravanabelagola. "The Union government will provide necessary finical aid for the establishment of the university. I will speak to Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Human Resource Development, in this regard," he said.

Ananth Kumar said that he would approach Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi about the establishment of the second university. He assured the Union government's support for the Mahamasthabisheka scheduled to be held in February 2018. The invitation will be extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. Ananth Kumar also released the translated work of 'Gomatasara'.

Shravanabelagola Jain mutt pontiff Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami said, the Union government had provided Rs 90 crore for the previous Mahamastakabhisheka. The state government has provided Rs 21 crore for the development of the Prakrit University. He urged the minister to provide Rs 100 crore to develop the varsity to match the international standards.