Narendra Modi in Bihar highlights: Centre will work shoulder to shoulder with Nitish Kumar govt for Bihar’s growth, says PM

Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the Centenary Celebrations of Patna University, in Patna, Bihar on Saturday. (Source: PTI Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bihar today. He attended the centenary celebrations of Patna University and addressed the students. He announced the government’s plan to make top 10 public and top 10 private universities of India “world class”. Inviting universities from the country to compete for it, he said the government will be granting the winners Rs 10,000 crore. The evaluation will be done by a third party.

He is visited Mokama to inaugurate several developmental projects, including sewage treatment plants and national highway projects. He also addressed a public meeting.

At Patna University, the Prime Minister shared the stage with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the first time since the latter’s return to the NDA fold. The last time they came together was at a 2009 rally in Haryana. PM Modi in Bihar, ally JD(U)’s hopes up

Narendra Modi in Bihar LIVE updates:

3.42 pm: PM Narendra Modi concludes his speech at Mokama.

3.35 pm: We are focussing on increased pace of road construction. The recent Antyodaya expresses flagged off will improve connectivity between Bihar, eastern India and other parts, says PM Narendra Modi

3.32 pm: Proper connectivity will lead to greater development. Our focus areas are roads, railways, waterways: PM Narendra Modi

3.30 pm: We are working tirelessly to fulfil the aspirations of people from rural India, and projects whose foundation stones are being laid will give impetus to Bihar’s development: PM Narendra Modi at Mokama

3.25 pm: Ganga is connected to all our lives and it is our duty to keep it clean and protect it, says PM Modi at Mokama.

3.16 pm: The Central government will work shoulder to shoulder with the Bihar government to realise the dreams of every citizen of Bihar: PM Modi at Mokama

3.10 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his address at Mokama.

3.08p pm: PM Modi lays foundation stone of projects under Namami Gange and National Highway in Bihar.

(Source: Twitter/ BJP4India) (Source: Twitter/ BJP4India)

3.05 pm: I have known Nitin Gadkari he never says ‘No’, I trust he will not say no to any of the development projects in Bihar, says Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

2.57 pm: “I request you to construct road connecting Buxar and Banaras as the number of pilgrims travelling to Banaras is quite high,” says CM Nitish Kumar to PM Modi.

2.48 pm: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addresses the public at Mokama, starts by welcoming PM Modi.

2.30 pm: Addressing the gathering at Mokama, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said, “The inauguration of these four sewerage projects will be very helpful for cleaning of Ganga.” He said a master plan is also underway to counter the problem of the river’s flooding.

2.20 pm: PM Modi has reached Mokama. He will soon lay the foundation of projects under Namami Gange programme and address a public meeting.

2.15 pm: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to accompany PM Narendra Modi for the inauguration of the four highway projects. PM Modi is expected to launch several development projects worth over Rs 3,700 crore.

1.55 pm: PM Narendra Modi at Patna Museum. He was accompanied by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

Narendra Modi in Bihar LIVE updates: CM Nitish Kumar and PM Modi at Patna Museum. (Source – Twitter/@PIB_India)

1.45 pm: PM Modi visited the Patna Museum. During his address at Patna University, CM Nitish Kumar mentioned that the PM made an impromptu request to visit the museum after he landed at the Patna airport.

PM @narendramodi visiting the Patna Museum in Bihar pic.twitter.com/bGs0PtD6aP

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 14, 2017

1.30 pm: PM Narendra Modi will be addressing a public meeting in Mokama shortly. He will also inaugurate developmental projects, including sewage treatment plants and national highway projects. State BJP president Nityanand Rai had hinted at the inauguration of these projects by terming the prime minister’s visit as a “Diwali gift” to the people of Bihar in general and Mokama in particular.

1.15 pm: “From conventional teaching, our universities need to move towards innovative learning,” PM Modi said during his address at Patna University.

Narendra Modi in Bihar LIVE updates: PM Modi with other dignitaries at Patna University. (Source – Twitter/@PMOIndia)

1.05 pm: “Bihar is blessed with both ‘Gyaan’ and ‘Ganga’. This land has a legacy that is unique,” PM Modi said “In every state, the top levels of the civil services has people who have studied in Patna University. In Delhi, I interact with so many officials, many of whom belong to Bihar,” he added.

12.55 pm: Stating that India is a youthful nation, PM Modi urged the students to come up with innovative solutions to the problems at hand. “As youngsters, I urge you to think about innovative solutions to the problems faced by people around you. Through what you learnt and the Start up sector there is a lot you can do for society,” he said.

12.45 pm: “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,” PM Modi said.

12.35 pm: Referring to CM Nitish Kumar’s request to grant the status of Central University to Patna University, he said, “I think there is a need to move beyond this and take it a step ahead.” He continued, “The government wants to free the top universities of the country from restrictions and give them freedom to excel. For this, top 10 private and top 10 public universities will be selected from the country. These universities will be given Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years. All the universities of the country can compete for this. A third party will examine the competing universities and select the top 20. These universities will be given the required freedom to move ahead and develop. I invite Patna University to be a part of it. This is much greater than granting the status of Central University.”

12.20 pm: Educational reforms have taken place at a very slow pace in the country, PM Modi.

12.18 pm: PM Modi also appreciated CM Nitish Kumar. “Nitish Kumar’s commitment towards Bihar’s progress is commendable,” he said.

Narendra Modi in Bihar LIVE updates: PM Modi addressing students at Patna University. (Source – Twitter/@ANI)

12.14 pm: “When IT revolution came, the world started looking at India differently. Before that, we used to be looked upon as the land of snakes and snake-charmers,” PM Modi said.

12.13 pm: Stressing on the importance of innovation, the PM said, “Only those countries that make innovation a priority, can develop.” He continued,” The more we stress on innovative learning, the more our country will be stronger globally.”

12.10 pm: “There was a time when we used to go to schools and colleges to learn something. But that age has ended now. Today, given how fast the world is changing, one of the biggest challenges for the universities now is how to make the students unlearn what they know. The process of unlearning and relearning is very important. We must focus on the process of opening the students’ minds so that they are perceptive to newer things,” PM Modi said.

12.08 pm: “When the country celebrates 75 years of independence in the year 2022, then Bihar should also feature in the list of leading states of the nation. This is what we are aiming and working towards,” PM Modi said.

12.05 pm: Saying it is his honour to be the first PM to visit Patna University, he noted the university’s achievements and talked about the distinguished alumni it has produced.

12 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now addressing the students.

11.50 am: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is now speaking from the dias. He reminisced about his days as a student of Patna University and the legacy of the university. CM Nitish Kumar requested PM Modi to declare Patna University as a Central University. Addressing PM Modi, he said, “Now that you’re here, everyone is looking towards you with hope in their eyes.”

11.40 am: Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi is currently addressing the students at Science College Ground. He said that PM Modi is the first prime minister in office to visit Patna University.

11.30 am: Apart from PM Modi, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan are also present at the dias. Interestingly, Nitish Kumar, Sushil Kumar Modi, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan are alumni of Patna University.

11.20 am: PM Narendra Modi has reached Science College Ground of Patna University. The centenary celebrations have been kicked off.

11.00 am: PM Narendra Modi has reached Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport at Patna. He was greeted by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and other dignitaries. From here, he will be proceeding towards Science College Ground, Patna University for the centenary celebrations.

Narendra Modi in Bihar LIVE updates: PM Modi was greeted by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar at Patna Airport. (Source – Twitter/@ANI)

10.50 am: Here is the schedule for PM Modi’s Bihar visit:
11 am – PM Modi is expected to attend centenary celebrations of Patna University
1.30 pm – PM Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of projects under Namami Gange programme, and National Highway projects at a public meeting in Mokama.

10.35 am: At the Conference of Governors, PM Modi emphasised on the need for conscious efforts towards national integration. He urged Governors to involve themselves in initiatives such as ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and ‘Run for Unity’.

Narendra Modi in Bihar LIVE updates: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with artists after witnessing a cultural programme for the participants of the Conference of Governors-2017. (PTI photo)

10.10 am: PM Modi attended the 48th Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday. Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there was a dearth of ideas, resources and capabilities in the country, and that Governors can facilitate better effectiveness of government initiatives.

9.45 am: Two-lane construction of Maheshkhunt-Saharsa-Purnea section of NH 107 and two-lane construction of Biharsharif-Barbigha-Mokama section of NH-82 will also be inaugurated by PM Modi at Mokama, around 90 kms from Patna.

9.20 am: PM Modi will also be laying the foundation stone of four highways, including the the four-laning of Aunta-Simariya section of NH-31 and the construction of six-lane Ganga Setu at a cost of Rs 1,161 crore.

9.00 am: The prime minister will be inaugurating a sewage treatment plant (STP) at Beur, a sewerage system with sewer network at Beur, another sewage treatment plant at Karmalichak and STP and sewer network at Saidpur. These projects are a part of the Namami Gange programme.

8.30 am: Today’s visit marks PM Narendra Modi’s official tour to the state since the BJP-led coalition came to power in Bihar July this year. He had, however, taken an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts of Bihar with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in August.

(With inputs from agencies)