Forget central, think global: PM Modi on Nitish's Patna University request

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday deflected Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's request to deem Patna University a central university, saying instead, that he wanted the university to become a "global-level institution."

"I am going beyond the demand and am keen that the Patna varsity compete successfully in the challenge for 10 public universities and become a global-level institution," PM Modi said at the centenary celebrations of the university.

The PM was referring to the government's decision to provide autonomy and Rs 10,000 crore to the country's top 10 public and 10 private universities to help them meet global standards.

Universities will have to go through a rigorous selection process, he added.

"The people of the state are keen that Patna University be made a central university," Kumar had said in his address at the event.

Earlier in the day, the PM had said that the face that Indian universities do not figure among the top 500 of the world was a "blot."

"From conventional teaching, our universities 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," he stressed.

The PM was in Bihar for a day-long visit, during which he also laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 3,700 crore in Patna.

(With inputs from IANS)