[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Prime Minister Narendra Modi shot down Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s request to give central university status to Patna University saying that the university should instead compete with other universities to get grants from the Union government.
In his first full-fledged visit to Bihar after Nitish Kumar dumped the Mahagatbandhan to form government in alliance with the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 5000 crore in Mokama and attended the centenary celebration of the Patna University.
The development projects launched by the Prime Minister include a Rs1,200 crore bridge across Ganga under the Namami Gange Programme and four national highway projects.
“I meet several people from rural India. We are working tirelessly to fulfil their aspirations. And, projects whose foundation stones are being laid will give impetus to Bihar’s development,” Modi said.
PM Modi also appreciated the efforts of ally-turned foe-turned ally Nitish Kumar towards the development of the state. “The commitment of Nitish Kumar towards the progress of Bihar is commendable. The Centre attaches topmost importance to the development of eastern India,” Modi said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the centenary celebration of the Patna University and urged students to come up with innovative solutions for the problems of the world. “As youngsters, I urge you to think about innovative solutions to the problems faced by people around you.. Living in an era of globalisation, we need to understand the changing trends across the world and the increased spirit of competitiveness,” he said.
On Nitish Kumar’s fervent appeal to him to give central university status to Patna University, Modi invited it to compete for a spot in the list of 20 universities that would be developed as “world class” institutions with a grant of Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years.
“This is more than the status of central university. I hope Patna University would not be left behind and grab this opportunity with both hands,” Modi said.
The centenary event at the university was attended by many prominent alumni including Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan, JP Nadda and Upendra Kushwaha. However, three of the most famous former students of the university, local BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, former finance minister and BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and RJD chief Lalu Yadav, remained absent from the function.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]