A blot that no Indian university is among world’s top 500: PM Modi

PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described as a "blot" the fact that Indian universities did not figure among the world's top 500, and said the government had decided to give autonomy and Rs 10,000 crore to India's top 10 public and 10 private universities over the next five years to make them world-class.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of Patna University here in the presence of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Modi said the institution should compete for a place among the top 20 universities in the country.

He said the top 20 universities would be selected by an independent jury.

"The government wants to free the top universities of government control. I invite Patna University to compete for that as it would be much greater than getting a central university status," the PM said.

Nitish had earlier made a fervent appeal to Modi to grant central university status to PU and said everyone was looking towards him with a lot of hope. This was the first time Modi had shared the stage with Nitish Kumar after JD(U)'s return to the NDA fold.

Modi also pointed out how many top civil servants working across the country were from the Patna University. "I interact with 100-150 officials every day and a large number of them are from PU," he said.

He also asked the universities to take up innovations on a priority basis.

"Only those countries that make innovation a priority can develop," he said. Modi also appreciated Nitish Kumar's commitment towards the development of Bihar. "When we celebrate 75 years of independence in 2022, Bihar should be among the developed states of the country."

Earlier, Modi laid the foundation of infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,769 crore, including sewage treatment plants for Patna, the four-laning of Aunta-Simariya section of NH-31 and the construction of a six-lane bridge over the Ganga at a function in the 'Taal' area of Mokama, about 90km from here.

Speaking on the occasion, PM said road construction projects worth Rs 53,000 crore had either been completed or were underway in Bihar. Without naming RJD chief Lalu Prasad, the PM blamed him for poor condition of roads in Bihar. "There are certain people who used to say roads are for those who have cars. No one has damaged the country more than such leaders," Modi said.