Founder: Mahatma Gandhi

First principal: Rajendra Prasad

Alumnus: Jayaprakash Narayan

Bad news: An institution with names as big as the Father of the Nation attached to it lay neglected for years.

Good news: It will be revived.

Bihar Vidyapeeth, the educational institution set up by Bapu in Patna, is on the path of revival. National Institute of Open Schooling (Nios) would start vocational courses in the Vidyapeeth from the session starting July. A meeting in this regard was held at the Vidyapeeth on April 3.

The present functionaries of the Vidyapeeth and the officials of different departments of the state government, including agriculture production commissioner Vijoy Prakash, inspector-general (special branch) J.S. Gangwar had participated in the meet. "Nios would start five vocational courses at Bihar Vidyapeeth initially. From the coming session a one-year course on electric fitting, construction supervision, hotel management, nursing training and old age-care home training would be started. Last year, the Centre provided Rs 10 crore to the Vidyapeeth and the fund would be utilised for its revival," said Nios regional director Sanjay Sinha.

Established in 1921, the Vidyapeeth happens to be among the three oldest Vidyapeeths of the country. Dr Prasad, the first President of the country was the foremost principal of the institution, while freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan was among one of the students. Noted scholar Maulana Mazharul Haque and renowned lawyer Braj Kishore Prasad (the father-in-law of Rajendra Prasad) became the chancellor and vice-chancellor of the Vidyapeeth respectively.

Gandhiji had raised Rs 60,000 from donation to establish the Vidyapeeth. According to the records of the Vidyapeeth,revive the Vidyapeeth, with which such big names are associated," said Sinha.