Guwahati: Assam Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi for the establishment of Srimanta Sankardev Chair at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies of the country’s premier education institution dedicated to higher education.

A MoU was signed in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit on Thursday.

A one-time fund of Rs 10 crore for the current financial year has been earmarked by the Government of Assam for the purpose.

”This is an initiative by the Government of Assam to promote and propagate the eternal ideals of Mahapurush Srimata Sankardeva,” Sarma said.

The MoU aims to promote discussion and research on the Bhakti movement of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva in national and international contexts.

Meanwhile, it will also promote the study on the enduring relevance of the great saint-philosopher and his Vaishnavite movement in contemporary Indian society, Sarma said.

The Chief Minister exuded confidence the establishment of the Srimanta Sankardev Chair would lend new momentum to the study and research on the Bhakti movements with special references to their influence on the Assamese society.

The Chief Minister referred to Srimanta Sankardev’s Ekasarana Dharma as a civilisational gift of great neo-Vaishnavite saints.

“Sadly, discussions related to Ekasarana Dharma have been limited to the boundaries of the State,” the Chief Minister remarked.

“The establishment of the Srimanta Sankardev Chair would prove decisive in attracting dedicated research and discussions on the subject,” CM Sarma added.