A decade after Nalanda University came up in the foothills of Rajgir, work is on to revive another ancient centre of learning in Bihar i.e. Vikramshila.

About Vikramshila University

• Founded: By Pala king Dharmapala (8th-9th Century AD), it thrived alongside Nalanda.
  • He also founded Somapur Mahavihara in modern Bangladesh.
• Known for Vajrayana/Tantrayana Buddhism, occult studies, and theological disciplines.
• Scholars from Tibet came to study here. Many manuscripts were written in Sanskrit and also translated into Tibetan.
• Atisha Dipankar (980-1054), a Buddhist in the Pala kingdom was an adhyaksha (head of the university)here. 
• Destroyed in late 12th century by Bakhtiyar Khalji, a military commander of Qutubuddin Aibak.

The Indian Prime Minister was welcomed with a traditional Bihari cultural performance Geet Gawai during his state visit to Mauritius.

About Geet Gawai

• It is a pre-wedding ceremony that combines rituals, prayer, songs, music and dance.
• It is also inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2016.
• Performed mainly by Bhojpuri-speaking communities having Indian descent in Mauritius.
  • Participants: Female family members and neighbors 
• Main-Musical Instrument: Dholak (a two-headed drum).
• It extends to public performances and presently men also participate.

Vinod Kumar Shukla is selected for 59th Jnanpith Award. It is recognized as the highest literary award in India.

About Jnanpith Award

• The Jnanpith Award has been presented annually by Bharatiya Jnanpith since 1965 for outstanding contributions to Indian literature.
  • Bharatiya Jnanpith, established in 1944, is one of the premier literary organizations.
• Jnanpith Award, considered the highest literary award in India, given annually for the best creative literary output to writers in any of the 22 languages recognized by the Constitution of India.
  • From 2013, works in English language were also considered.
• Eligibility for the award is restricted to Indian citizens.

Various traditional New Year festivals are being celebrated across different parts of India.