3 weeks ago
Assam Couple Donates Rs 1 Crore Life Savings to University
Two retired teachers in Assam, India, gave away all their life savings.
Their savings were Rs 1 crore, a very large amount of money.
The couple taught at Cotton College for about 40 years.
After retiring, they decided to give the money to a university.
The university teaches Sanskrit and the history of ancient kingdoms.
The teachers said the money had become a burden to them.
They believe that education should be given back to society.
Their gift will help students with scholarships and research.
Many people in Assam were inspired by their generosity.
Retired professors Dr Pannalal Goswami and Dr Nandita Bhattacharya Goswami donated Rs 1 crore, virtually their entire life savings from four decades of government service, to Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University (KBVS&ASU) in Nalbari, Assam.
The couple taught chemistry and Sanskrit at Cotton College, now Cotton University, and retired in 2009 after building the savings on modest government salaries.
University officials said the simple handover on 17 July 2026 was one of the largest individual gifts the university had received.
The donation will support scholarships, heritage research and the study of Sanskrit, Kamarupa history and ancient Indian knowledge at the university, which was established in 2011.
BJP MLA Dilip Saikia thanked the couple on social media, while Dr Nandita said "money had become a burden" and the couple sought to return "the people's wealth to the people."
- Who
- Dr Pannalal Goswami and Dr Nandita Bhattacharya Goswami, retired professors from Cotton College (now Cotton University) in Guwahati, Assam
- What
- Donated Rs 1 crore, virtually their entire life savings, to Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University (KBVS&ASU) to support Sanskrit and ancient knowledge studies
- Where
- KBVS&ASU in Namati village, Nalbari, Assam, India
- When
- July 2026; the handover took place on 17 July 2026
- Why
- The couple believed education should be given back to the society that funded it; Dr Nandita said the money had become a burden and they wanted to preserve the study of Assam's ancient knowledge systems
Key facts
- Donation Amount
- Rs 1 crore (the couple's life savings)
- Donors
- Dr Pannalal Goswami and Dr Nandita Bhattacharya Goswami
- Recipient
- Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University (KBVS&ASU)
- Location
- Namati village, Nalbari, Assam
- Handover Date
- 17 July 2026
- Donors' Former Institution
- Cotton College (founded 1901), now Cotton University
- University Established
- 2011
- Fields of Study Supported
- Sanskrit, Kamarupa history, ancient Indian knowledge
Quotes
Dr Nandita Bhattacharya Goswami
Retired Sanskrit professor and university vice‑principal
“Money had become a burden for us. By returning the people's wealth to the people, we have only lightened that burden.”
thebetterindia.com
“He was my student, and I am deeply proud of him.”
thebetterindia.com
Narrator
Article description
“It went, in full, to a state university most Assamese families have never visited, dedicated to studying Sanskrit and the history of the ancient kingdom of Kamarupa.”
thebetterindia.com
Sources
Related news
Assam Proposes Scholarships for 100 IIT Guwahati Students
103-Year-Old Assam Woman Donates Lifelong Savings To Flood-Hit Families
Former minister urges Rs 100 crore allocation for Brahmin community
82-Year-Old Woman Donates Crore-Worth Land for Temple Hall
UP establishes Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Shodhpeeths in universities, colleges
Government Defends 7.8% GDP Growth as Congress Raises Doubts
Kerala BJP Chief Attacks IUML Over Sharia Law Allegations
BJP, Karni Sena Criticize Swara Bhasker’s Padmaavat Comments
Akhilesh Yadav Questions Irregularities After Ram Temple CEO Appointment
Jharkhand Authorities Probe Voter Deletion Forms After Express Report
