21st century should be a period of intellectual decolonisation: P.K. Mishra

The 21st century should be the period of “intellectual decolonisation” that will help in the recovery of civilisational self confidence, said P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India. Speaking at the third convocation of Nalanda University on Tuesday (May 19, 2026), Mr. Mishra said the world was facing geopolitical conflicts and uncertainties despite making tremendous advances in communication technology.

“There are universities that are institutions. And then there are universities that are civilisational symbols. Nalanda belongs to the latter category. The revival of Nalanda University reflects India’s belief that openness, pluralism, dialogue, and inquiry remain essential to the future of humanity,” said Mr. Mishra. Nalanda University, located in Rajgir, Bihar, is an international university of ‘National Importance’ that is supported by 18 partner countries of East Asia Summit.

‘Work without walls’

Mr. Mishra congratulated the graduating students of the university and urged them to “work without walls”, calling them to follow the true lesson of ancient Nalanda’s wisdom of openness and address global challenges such as climate change.

“The central question before humanity is not merely whether we can generate more information or technology, but whether knowledge will remain connected to wisdom, ethics, compassion, and human responsibility,” said Mr. Mishra. He highlighted the traditions of Ayurveda, Buddhist knowledge systems and ancient texts such as Arthashastra and said the 21st century would be a “period of intellectual decolonisation”. Pointing at Nalanda University’s potentials, Mr. Mishra argued that Asia was at a “critical global inflection point” that would bring rapid economic growth for the region’s nations.

The modern Nalanda University is inspired by the ancient Nalanda University that was noted as the centre of learning and scholarship that attracted scholars and visitors from different parts of the world, especially Southeast, and East Asia. The modern university carries forward the vision of the ancient traditions of scholarship.

“Nalanda is at once futuristic, for the ideals and standards of the ancient seat of learning have proven to be universal in their relevance as the feasible solutions to a shared and sustainable future for all, not just Asia,” says the university on its website. Tuesday’s convocation ceremony was also attended by Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain, Governor of Bihar; Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor, Nalanda University; and Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, and envoys and representatives of the partner nations.