Date: 10 February 2025
Time: 4:00 PM
Venue: Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
India Foundation, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre, organized a book discussion on “Nalanda: How it Changed the World” by Ambassador Abhay Kumar on 10 February 2025 at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The session brought together eminent scholars and thought leaders to reflect on the civilizational significance of Nalanda and its continued relevance in shaping contemporary global thought.
The speakers included Ambassador Abhay Kumar, Author of the book; Côme Carpentier de Gourdon, Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation; Prof. Sunaina Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University; and Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra, Trustee-Secretary, The Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
The panellists discussed the multifaceted legacy of Nalanda as a centre of ancient learning, diplomacy, and spiritual dialogue. The discussion covered Nalanda’s influence on the intellectual traditions of Asia, its contribution to the development of global academic exchanges, and its symbolic importance in India’s soft power and knowledge diplomacy.
