President Pranab Mukherjee has said, Universities are the best forum of debate, discussion and arguments besides free exchange of views. <br/><br/>He was addressing the first convocation of Nalanda University at Rajgir in Bihar on Saturday. Mr Mukherjee said, Nalanda is not mere ruins and land but a reflection of idea and culture which was nourished twelve hundred years ago. <br/>He said, the University was melting pot of civilizations and confluence of civilizations. <br/><br/>The President told the passing out students that knowledge and skill which acquired in the university will help them to meet the challenges of the real world. <br/><br/>Earlier, Mr Mukherjee laid the foundation stone of a permanent campus of the University at Pilkhi village.<br/><br/>Governor Ramnath Kovind and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were among those present on the occasion.<br/><br/>The Nalanda University came into being on November 25, 2010 by a special Act of the Parliament and has been designated as an institution of national importance. <br/><br/>The University is being supported by all the Members of the East Asia Summit and Intergovernmental Memorandums of University to the that effect have been signed by 17 countries.<br/><br/>The President will reach Bengaluru later in the day. He will participate in the 15th year celebrations of the Akshaya Patra Foundation and commemoration of serving two billion meals programme at the Hare Krishna Hills. <br/><br/>Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar will also participate in the programme.<br/><br/>Akshaya Patra Foundation serves meals to nearly 15 lakh children every day in over 13,000 schools in 10 states of the country. <br/><br/>Akshaya Patra Foundation is also one the implementing partner of the flagship mid-day meal programme of the Government of India.<br/><br/> On Sunday, Mr Mukherjee will address the 24th annual convocation of National Law School of India University in Bengaluru.