‘Vaishali Festival of Democracy’

• The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will be holding a ‘Festival of Democracy’ at Bihar’s Nalanda University exhibiting India’s rich democratic traditions.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY

• In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy—with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy
• This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,”

ANCIENT CITY OF VAISHALI:

• It is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankar of Jainism. It is believed to be the first republic in the world.
• Buddha visited this place thrice, delivered his last sermon and announced his Nirvana here at Vaishali.
• After the death of Buddha, the Second Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali.

NALANDA UNIVERSITY

• It was a centre of higher learning that attracted scholars from different parts of the country as well as the world from the 5th century CE to 12th century CE.
• It was located in present day Rajgir, Bihar.