NEW DELHI: Dr Vijay Bhatkar, father of India's first supercomputer and head of RSS-affiliated science body Vijanan Bharti, has been appointed the Chancellor of the Nalanda University.
The post had called vacant after the former foreign minister of Singapore resigned alleging"domestic politics" in the functioning of the University.
Senior MEA officials confirmed to the New Indian Express that Dr. Bhatkar's name has been approved by the Visitor of the University, that is the President of India on January 27.
The New Indian Express has earlier reported that RSS was keen to get its man at the helm of affairs of the institution, meant to bring back the ancient glory of the Nalanda in Rajgir, Bihar. Bhatkar does not have a background in Buddhist studies, but officials indicated that his experience in setting up institutions can come handing in reviving the university.
Bhatkar is known as the architect of India's first supercomputer PARAM and as the founder Executive Director of C-DAC, India's national initiative in supercomputing. He is credited with the creation of several national institutions, notably amongst them being C-DAC, ER&DC, IIITM-K, I2IT, ETH Research Lab, MKCL and India International Multiversity.
As the president of Vijnana Bharati, Bhatkar spoke at a session called ‘Ancient Indian Sciences through Sanskrit’ at the 2015 Indian Science Congress in Mumbai, where he famously claimed that ancient Indians built airplanes and exhorted the academicians present to harness the technology to Make in India.
He has been a Member of Scientific Advisory Committee to Cabinet of Govt of India, Governing Council Member of CSIR, India and eGovernace Committee Chairman of Governments of Maharashtra and Goa.
He has been honored with Padmashri and Maharashtra Bhushan awards.