Visva Bharati
Founded by the first non-European Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Thākur(popularly known as Tagore) in 1921, Visva-Bharati was declared to be a central university and an institution of national importance by an Act of Parliament in 1951. The President of India is the Paridarsaka (Visitor) of the University, the Governor of West Bengal is the Pradhana (Rector), and the Prime Minister of India acts as the Acharya (Chancellor). The President of India appoints the Upacharya (Vice-chancellor) of the University.
In May 1951, Visva-Bharati was declared to be a Central University and "An Institution of National Importance" by an Act of Parliament. It was granted the status of a unitary, teaching, and residential university. The status and function of all the major institutions have been redefined in successive Amendments. The key focus of the University lies in Tagore’s belief that without the development of rural India, India as a nation could not prosper. The advent of rural development began with Tagore engaging in the task of rural reconstruction; recuperating the situation of the peasants and rural artisans; 5 developing agriculture and cottage industries and; applying the cooperative principle to the task of the general welfare, merging different villages as regional units that would include schools, workshops, granaries, co-operative stores, and banks as also common meeting places for enjoyment and settling of disputes. Assistance was provided to them on issues of welfare, enlightened them with healthcare and sanitation issues, teaching them better methods of farming learn and practicing arts and crafts. Visva-Bharati recognizes the holistic aspect of all human knowledge and inquiry. The University regards holistic knowledge as imparted through a broad and interwoven system of education as an important component of student teaching–learning pedagogy. This will help students prepare for their student, work, and social life making them effective contributing members of society. Liberal Education through different disciplines that include Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, and Sciences. The university intends to develop into a global center for the study of liberal and fine arts, music, and language. The Fine Arts Unit of the University is one of the leading centers of education in India, steps to take it to the international map through academic and cultural exchange of art and painting would be promoted. The University intends to bring in the best faculties and practitioners from across the world and create a space for global exchange where students and teachers can get hands-on learning experience from them. The University through its vision and strategies would escalate its learning and knowledge system and create a place that becomes a global center of knowledge and culture in the coming era. It will aim to achieve its goal of Yatra Visvam Bhavatyekanidam (where the world makes a home in a single nest) through patient study of the different cultures of the world. Visva Bharati, therefore, believes in the integration and dissemination of knowledge to its multiple stakeholders and the community around which it dwells
