Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the centenary celebrations of the Patna University (PU) along with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on 14 October. The university, one of the oldest in the country, completed 100 years on 1 October.
“It is a day of great honour that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is present for Patna University's centenary celebrations,” Kumar said.
This is the prime minister's first full-fledged official tour to the state since the BJP became a part of the ruling coalition in Bihar in July this year after the Kumar-led JD(U) snapped its alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress.
The prime minister was welcomed by Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik and the chief minister among others at the Patna airport from where he drove straight to the Patna Science College campus.
“Bihar Has a Unique Legacy”
Modi while praising Nitish’s “commitment” to the development Bihar, said the Centre and the state government led by Kumar will work together with a pledge to bring Bihar on par with the other prosperous states by 2022.
The PM said Bihar is blessed with both ‘Gyan’ and ‘Ganga’ and has a legacy that is unique. He said that Bihar has been blessed by Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. But the time has come to propitiate Laxmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) as well and take the state to new heights of development.
"Will Provide Rs 10,000 Cr and Autonomy to Top Universities"
On the appeal of granting central status to the Patna University made by Nitish Kumar, Modi said measures like grant of central status were "a thing of the past" and his government has taken "a step forward" towards making 10 private universities and 10 government universities world class.
We will provide an assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to 10 private universities and an equal number of government ones for a period of five years. All these universities have to do is to demonstrate their potential to become world class.PM Narendra Modi
He also added, “I exhort Patna University to seize this opportunity.” He stressed that the universities in the country need to move towards “innovative learning”.
Living in an era of globalisation, we need to understand the changing trends across the world and the increased spirit of competitiveness. In that context India has to make its place in the world... A nation seen as a land of snake charmers has distinguished itself in the IT sector, he said.
He said that India is a “youthful nation, blessed with youthful aspirations,” and the youth must think of innovative solutions to the problems faced by people.
“Will Work Towards Improving Connectivity”
After the centenary celebrations, Modi traveled 96 km to Mokama to launch a string of projects under the Namami Gange and National Highway projects in Bihar.
The projects, which will be worth over Rs 3,700 crore, would benefit the people of Bihar, he said.
He said his main focus will be to improve connectivity through roads, railways and waterways. The recently launched Antyodaya Express will improve Bihar’s connectivity with eastern India and other parts, he saId.
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