Nitish Kumar and (below) SM Krishna

Singapore, May 5 (PTI): External affairs minister S.M. Krishna today heaped praises on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, lauding him for his foresight and efforts to revive the ancient Nalanda University.

“We are indeed fortunate as today’s Bihar is looking forward. Today’s Bihar leadership is a forward looking leadership,” Krishna said.

Speaking on the concept of Nalanda University at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, the external affairs minister said: “A leadership with a foresight, and particularly the chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, has been one of the most ardent supporters of this concept of Nalanda University.”

The external affairs mi nister was addressing a gathering of 100 academics and diplomats at the unveiling of the bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

Praising the JD (U) leader, he said: “I am sure that under his (Nitish Kumar) guidance in Bihar and with the government of India’s total commitment to the Nalanda University concept, Nalanda will come to being a reality much sooner than we anticipate.”

The external affairs minister also praised the Nalanda University mentors, Nobel Laureate Professor Amar- tya Sen and the foreign minister of Singapore George Yeo.

“I would be failing in my duty if I do not recall the other two moving forces behind the Nalanda University complex as mentors,” he said.

“Both of them have taken this concept of Nalanda with a passion as their mission in life, and we are indeed grateful to both of them,” he stressed.

Krishna also wished all the best to Yeo, who is locked in one of the most fiercely contested election with an opposition political group for re-election from his Aljunied Group Representation Constituency this Saturday.

“I wish him all the best,” said Krishna to Yeo.

The external affairs minister also appreciated Sen’s efforts, who recently took “the pains to go to Bihar to see for himself where the proposed Nalanda University is going to come up.”

The external affairs minister unveiled the bust of Rabindranath Tagore on his 150th birth anniversary and presented it to the Indian Heritage Centre of Singapore, which would be opening in two years.