India has Asia's largest residential university
India is a country of diversity and excellence in education, where you can find many prestigious and renowned universities that offer quality and innovation in various fields of study. One such university is the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), which is not only one of the oldest and largest universities in India, but also the largest residential university in Asia.
What is BHU?
BHU is a public central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya, a visionary leader and educationist, along with Annie Besant, Sunder Lal, and Maharaja of Darbhanga Rameshwar Singh. The university was inspired by the ancient universities of Taxila and Nalanda, and aimed to promote the values and culture of Hinduism along with modern scientific and technological education.
BHU has 14 faculties, 6 institutes, 3 schools, 4 interdisciplinary centers, and more than 140 departments that offer a wide range of courses in arts, commerce, science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, law, education, performing arts, and social sciences. The university also has several centers of excellence and research projects that have made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge and innovation.
BHU has a sprawling campus of 1,300 acres on the banks of the river Ganges, which is known for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. The campus has several landmarks and attractions, such as the Vishwanath Temple, the Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, the Malaviya Smriti Bhawan, the Amphitheatre, and the Gandhi Bhawan. The campus also has more than 60 hostels for students and staff, as well as various facilities and amenities such as libraries, laboratories, auditoriums, sports complexes, health centers, banks, post offices, canteens, and shops.
Why is it Asia's largest residential university?
BHU is Asia's largest residential university because it has the highest number of students and staff living and studying on its campus. According to the university website, BHU has more than 35,000 students, including about 15,000 female students, and more than 2,000 faculty members and 5,000 non-teaching staff. The university also has more than 300,000 alumni across the world, who have made their mark in various fields and professions.
BHU is also Asia's largest residential university because it has the largest number of courses and programs offered on its campus. The university offers more than 500 courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and diploma levels, covering almost all disciplines and domains of knowledge and skill. The university also offers several distance education and online courses for students who cannot attend regular classes.
BHU is also Asia's largest residential university because it has the largest number of colleges and institutes affiliated to it. The university has 6 constituent colleges, namely the Mahila Mahavidyalaya (Women's College), the Arya Mahila Mahavidyalaya (Arya Women's College), the Vasanta College for Women, the DAV Post Graduate College, the Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya (Vasant Girls' College), and the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus. The university also has 6 autonomous institutes, namely the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi, the Institute of Medical Sciences, the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, the Institute of Science, the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Institute of Management Studies.
What are its achievements and accolades?
BHU is one of the most reputed and respected universities in India and abroad, and has received several awards and recognitions for its academic excellence and contributions to society. Some of its achievements and accolades are:
- BHU is ranked among the top 10 universities in India by various national and international agencies, such as the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), the QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
- BHU is recognized as an Institution of Eminence by the Government of India, which grants it greater autonomy and support to achieve world-class standards in teaching and research.
- BHU is a member of several prestigious associations and networks, such as the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the International Association of Universities (IAU), and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI).
- BHU has produced several eminent personalities and leaders in various fields and professions, such as former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Nobel laureate C.V. Raman, Bharat Ratna recipients Ustad Bismillah Khan and Ravi Shankar, and Padma Shri recipients Girish Karnad and Amitabh Bachchan.
BHU is a university that has a glorious past and a bright future, and is a pride of India and Asia. It is a university that offers a holistic and enriching education to its students, and prepares them to become responsible and successful citizens of the world. It is a university that strives to uphold the vision and mission of its founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya, who said, "India is not a country of the Hindus only. It is a country of the Muslims, the Christians and the Parsees too. The country can gain strength and develop itself only when the people of the different communities in India live in mutual goodwill and harmony."
How to visit BHU?
BHU is located in Varanasi, one of the oldest and most sacred cities in India, which is well connected by air, rail, and road. The nearest airport is the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, which is about 25 km from the university. The nearest railway station is the Varanasi Junction, which is about 6 km from the university. The nearest bus station is the Varanasi Bus Stand, which is about 5 km from the university.
The university campus can be reached by various modes of transport, such as taxis, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and buses. The campus has several entry gates, such as the Lanka Gate, the Singh Dwar Gate, the Ajagara Gate, and the Samne Ghat Gate. The campus also has an internal transport system, such as e-rickshaws and bicycles, which can be used to move around the campus.
The best time to visit BHU is during the winter season, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. The campus looks beautiful and vibrant during this time, with various cultural and academic events and festivals taking place.
Some of the major events and festivals that are celebrated in BHU are:
Malaviya Jayanti: This is the birth anniversary of Madan Mohan Malaviya, which is celebrated on December 25 every year. The university organizes various programs and activities to commemorate his life and legacy.
Spandan: This is the annual cultural festival of BHU, which is held in February every year. The festival showcases various forms of art and culture, such as music, dance, drama, literature, and fine arts. The festival also invites renowned artists and celebrities to perform and interact with the students.
Technex: This is the annual technical festival of BHU, which is held in March every year. The festival provides a platform for students to showcase their technical skills and innovations in various fields of science and engineering. The festival also organizes various workshops, lectures, competitions, and exhibitions.
Kashiyatra: This is the annual socio-cultural festival of BHU, which is held in January every year. The festival aims to promote the social and cultural awareness and responsibility among the students and the society. The festival also organizes various events and campaigns, such as blood donation, cleanliness drive, plantation drive, and social service.
BHU is a university that offers a unique and memorable experience to its visitors, who can witness the blend of tradition and modernity, culture and technology, and spirituality and science. It is a university that welcomes everyone with open arms and warm hearts, and inspires them to learn and grow. It is a university that is worth visiting and exploring.
Conclusion
BHU is a university that has a glorious past and a bright future, and is a pride of India and Asia. It is a university that offers a holistic and enriching education to its students, and prepares them to become responsible and successful citizens of the world. It is a university that strives to uphold the vision and mission of its founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya, who said, “India is not a country of the Hindus only. It is a country of the Muslims, the Christians and the Parsees too. The country can gain strength and develop itself only when the people of the different communities in India live in mutual goodwill and harmony.” It is a university that deserves to be visited and appreciated by everyone who loves to explore and experience new things. BHU is not just a university, but a piece of paradise on earth.
Source:
(1) Which is the largest residential university in Asia? - GKToday. https://www.gktoday.in/question/which-is-the-largest-residential-university-in-asi.
(2) Banaras Hindu University | World University Rankings | THE. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/banaras-hindu-university.
(3) BHU, Asia’s largest residential university, celebrates centenary. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/bhu-asias-largest-residential-university-celebrates-centenary/article18276940.ece.
(4) Which of the following universities is Asia's largest residential .... https://www.gktoday.in/question/which-of-the-following-universities-is-asias-large.
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