The Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan came into existence in 1921 with the aim to spread the rich heritage of Indian Philosophy and spiritualism to the whole world. Founded by the great Rabindranath Tagore, Visva Bharati University is situated in Shantiniketan and Sriniketan. Rabindranath Tagore was not happy with the term ‘university’ as the word translates into “Vishva- Vidyalaya’ which has a smaller scope when compared to the word ‘Vishwa Bharati’.
Although a college initially, the institution soon gained a university status in the year 1951. The unique feature of the University is that it believes in imparting education and knowledge not within closed classrooms but in the open air. The Chancellor of the Visva Bharati is the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh and the Vice-Chancellor is Prof. Rajat Kanta Ray.
Objectives of Vishwa Bharati, Shantiniketan
- Enhance mutual relationship among people through study
- Explore truth by studying the minds of people
- Approach the Western Culture through Asian thoughts and compliment as well as supplement one another.
- Explore and assure the unity that underlies the diverse cultures in the East as well as the whole world through the study of literature, art, religion and different cultural perspectives.
- Ensure and promote world peace through the feeling of fellowship.
- This Central University has a large number of institutes, departments, centres and schools.
Institutes of Visva Bharati Shantiniketan
- Cheena Bhavana (Institute of Chinese Language and Culture)
- Darshan Bhavana (Institute of Philosophy)
- Palli Charcha Kendra (Sriniketan)
- Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts)
- Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga (PSV) (Institute of Rural Reconstruction) (Sriniketan)
- Rabindra Bhavana (Institute of Tagore Studies and Research)
- Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agricultural Science) (Sriniketan)
- Sangeet Bhavana (Institute of Dance, Drama & Music)
- Silpa Sadan (Sriniketan)
- Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Science)
- Rural Extension Centre (Sriniketan)
- Vidya-Bhavana (Institute of Humanities & Social Sciences)
- Vinaya Bhavana (Institute of Education)
The associated institutes are Bengal Institute of technology and Management (BITM, Santiniketan) and IIIT, Kolkata.
- Schools of Visha Bharati Shantiniketan
- Patha Bhavana
- Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala
- Shiksha Shatra
- Santosh Pathsala
- Uttar Shiksha Sadana
Some of the courses offered in Visha Bharati Shantiniketan are Pre-Degree Course, Bridge Course, Foreign Casual Course, Certificate and diploma Course, Bachelor’s Degree Course, Master’s Degree Course and Doctoral as well as Post-Doctoral Courses.
The facilities available in the university are a central library, which has been divided into the Granthan Vibhag locared in Kolkata nad the Central Library located in Shantiniketan, 40 hostels, 15 kitchens, number of canteens, guest houses, merit scholarships for the students, part-time work for the students, physical education etc.
Last Updated on : March 28, 2016