Dr Ramesh Vankwani proposed International Chanakya University in Taxila

Lahore : Patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council and Member of National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has proposed to establish a world-class university in Taxila to acknowledge the great visionary philosopher Chanakya who was born there. Exchanging his views with the media, Dr Ramesh Vankwani said that Arthashastra, the book written by the ancient philosopher, covers different topics including Administration, Foreign Policy and Justice system.

“While the world recognizes him a great visionary philosopher, Chanakya is being portrayed as a negative “Brahmin” character in his own country of birth,” Dr Ramesh regretted. “Scholars admit that the Arthashastra is still very much influential, most particularly to understand the political scenario and diplomatic relations among different nations,” he further said.

“We must feel honor for having the land where once the great philosopher Chanakya used to spread wisdom and in this regard, I would like to propose establishing International Chanakya University for Political and Social Sciences  in Taxila,” Dr Ramesh concluded, while hoping that the doors of proposed university could also be opened for foreign students, which will result in projecting knowledge-friendly, prejudice-free, and positive image of Pakistan on international level.

According to the historians, Chanakya was born during 371 BCE. at Taxila, which is part of present-day Pakistan where he spent his entire life.  He is also identified as Kauṭilya or Vishnugupta, and authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra. The book title “Arthashastra” is often translated to “the science of politics”, but the book covers a number of topics such as nature of government, rules and regulations, civil and criminal court systems, ethics, economics, markets and trade, the ministerial and administrative set up, diplomacy, theories on war, peace and development, and the duties and obligations of a rulers.

The book originally written in Sanskrit language is translated in to different languages including English and Urdu. Artha means prosperity, wealth or economic security while Shastra is the Sanskrit word for “rules” or “science”.