Govt intends to unshackle universities: Modi

Patna, Oct 14 (PTI) Lamenting that no Indian universityfigures among the top 500 globally, Prime Minister NarendraModi today said the government in...
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Patna, Oct 14 (PTI) Lamenting that no Indian universityfigures among the top 500 globally, Prime Minister NarendraModi today said the government intends to unshackle theseinstitutions and provide Rs 10,000 crore to 20 varsities toensure that they are counted among the best in the world.

Addressing a function on the centenary celebrations ofthe Patna University here, he said measures like grant ofcentral status were "a thing of the past" and his governmenthas taken "a step forward" towards making 10 privateuniversities and 10 government ones world class.

"My government took an important step towards unshacklingthe IIMs, freeing them from the clutches of restrictions andregulations set by the government.

"We intend to do the same for our universities and ensurethat our centres of higher learning figure among the best 500in the world," Modi said here.

In his speech that lasted a little over 30 minutes, thePrime Minister stressed on the need for universities to givemore emphasis on "learning and innovation" and give up oldteaching methods which focused on "cramming students' mindswith information".

The Prime Minister also replied in his characteristicstyle to a fervent plea by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,who in his welcome address had urged Modi "with folded handsthat central status be granted to Patna University".

"I would like to say something about a demand that wasraised here and met with loud cheers by the young crowdattending this ceremony. Issues like grant of central statushave become a thing of the past. We are taking a step forward.

"We will provide an assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to 10private universities and an equal number of government onesfor a period of five years. All these universities have to dois to demonstrate their potential to become world class," hesaid.

The universities will not be selected by the primeminister or a chief minister or any other political figure, hesaid, adding their potential will be assessed by aprofessional, third party agency.

"I exhort Patna University to seize this opportunity," hesaid in the presence of a host of dignitaries, which includedKumar and his Deputy Sushil Kumar Modi.

Hailing the role of young IT professionals in changingthe global outlook towards India, Modi quipped "earlier wewere seen as a land of snake charmers, exorcism andsuperstitions.

"Long back, while on a visit to Taiwan, I told a friendthat we, as a nation, have moved from snakes to the mouse," hesaid.

Modi said, "We are a nation of 800 million young people,65 per cent of our population is below the age of 35 years.

There is nothing that we cannot achieve with such a hugedemographic advantage."The PM began his speech on a humorous note, saying "theChief Minister said in his speech that I was the first PrimeMinister to visit this university. It seems my predecessorshave left quite a few tasks for me".

He also paid rich tributes to the rich and glorioushistory of Bihar, saying "the stream of knowledge that flowsthrough this state is as ancient as the river Ganges itself".

"The state has been devoting itself to the worship ofSaraswati (Goddess of learning). But the time has come topropitiate Laxmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) as welland make the state a prosperous one by 2022, when we celebrate75 years of our Independence," he saidHe also remarked "there is no state in the country whereone does not find a Patna University alumnus among the topfive bureaucrats. I have had the opportunity to work withmany such bright officers".

Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan,Ashwini Chaubey and Upendra Kushwaha were among those presentduring the event.

After attending the PU function, the PM paid anunscheduled visit to the Bihar Museum, situated adjacent tothe Patna High Court, which has been a pet project of ChiefMinister Nitish Kumar.

The chief minister accompanied Modi during the museumvisit.

This is the prime minister's first full-fledged officialtour to the state since the BJP became a part of the rulingcoalition in Bihar in July this year after Kumar-led JD(U)snapped its alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress.

PTI NACRT.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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