Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said discrimination between urban and rural India was clearly visible in infrastructure facilities. “Our country has urban Bharat and backward Bharat. It is the need of the hour to focus on creating the environment to bring back people to villages,” he said addressing the students at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (IIIT-Nuzvid) here.

“The IIIT model is a perfect source to those coming from rural background, enabling them to play their role in bringing the required change in the country in future. Enjoy the academic environment and aim at coming out with indigenous solutions to the problems being faced by society,” said Mr. Venkaiah Naidu.

On Indians going abroad in search of opportunities, he said, “Go (anywhere), learn, earn but make sure you return to your own soil.”

‘Yoga has no religion’

Mr. Venkaiah Naidu admitted that he was bowled over the performance of yoga by the IIIT students. “Yoga has no religion. It connects the mind with the body. Yoga is being widely adopted by many countries. It will help you keep strong to face challenges,” he said.

The governments of the day should realise the need for improving rural infrastructure, connecting villages with every requirement of education, health, communication and technology, he added.

The Vice-President lauded the extracurricular activities of the students, particularly girl students.

Principal Secretary (Higher Education) K. Damayanthi, IIIT Vice-Chancellor V.Ramachandra Raju and Director D. Suryachandra Rao accompanied Mr. Venkaiah Naidu during his visit to the campus and other facilities.