Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan

Visva-Bharati is a public central university and Institute of National Importance situated in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 December 1918 by Rabindranath Tagore, who envisioned it as a place for the communion of the world with India. Before independence, it functioned as a college, and in 1951 it was elevated to the status of a central university through an act of Parliament. The university is located about 170 km from Kolkata in the twin towns of Santiniketan and Sriniketan in Birbhum district. It is known for its open-air classes under mango trees, preserved heritage buildings, and cultural festivals like Poush Mela. The institution comprises several specialized institutes such as Kala Bhavana, Sangit Bhavana, Cheena Bhavana, and Rabindra Bhavana, which houses Tagore's manuscripts and artworks. Governance includes the President of India as visitor, the Governor of West Bengal as rector, and the Prime Minister of India as chancellor. Security is provided by the CISF since 2019, and the university has recently established a satellite campus in Ramgarh, Uttarakhand.