Vikramshila excavation site: Rashmi Chatterjee, a Delhi-based archaeologist and heritage management expert, had last week expressed serious concern at the pathetic condition of the half-excavated ruins of Vikramshila Buddha Mahavihara, the Pala dynasty's gift of knowledge to the world.

She urged government agencies concerned to take appropriate measures to promote this ancient seat of learning in a big way.

In what is her first visit to Bihar, Rashmi addressed a sizable number of participants who had gathered at the half-excavated Vikramshila Mahavihara site in the morning for a heritage walk.

On the occasion of Vikramshila Mahotsav, a government-sponsored annual event scheduled from March 17, the heritage walk was organised jointly by Chetna Serving Humanity, a voluntary body, and the Bhagalpur district administration. After the heritage walk, an interactive session was organised at Vikramshila. Addressing the session, Rashmi stressed on the need for such heritage walks not only to highlight such heritage but also stimulate a sense of belonging and need for conservation of such edifices among residents. "Vikramshila has a high value not just in India. It is well known the world over," she said. She also urged for innovative measures to promote it's significance.

She was also annoyed at the government's apathy. "There's an urgent need for tourist facilities like drinking water and connectivity," she said.

"This event is for appreciating our opulent culture and heritage," said Chetna Tripathi Singh, convener of Chetna Humanity Serving. "The aim was to create awareness among people about Vikramshila. Knowledge and awareness regarding our past, origin and culture always strengthens our roots. This heritage walk is a tool to explain unexplored richness of our place. It plays an important role in creating awareness and encourages community involvement."

Chetna's husband Manoj Kumar, also the Bhagalpur SSP, said Vikramshila was the nation's pride and there was need for in-depth exploration of its rich culture and historical past.

Others who spoke on the occasion included educationalist Rajiv Kant Mishra; former deputy director of the public relations department Shivshnaker Singh Parijat, who is also a researcher on Dipanker Srighyan Atisa, a reputed figure in modern Buddhism from Vikramshila; professor of history in the PG department of TMB University, K K Mandal; and Vikramshila Nagrik Samity convener N.K. Jaiswala. All of them alleged government apathy towards Vikramshila.