PATNA: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today assured that he would try his best to persuade the government for looking into favourably to consider long pending demand of central status to Patna University, seventh oldest university of the country.
Mr Naidu after inaugurating centenary year celebration of library of Patna University, said that Bihar known for quality education across the globe in ancient period due to existence of a number of premier educational institutions including Nalanda University, had contributed a lot to the nation in different arenas including science, technology, judiciary, education and social movement.
“Patna University, when established was attraction for educationists in not only in Bihar but also other parts of the country and globe,” Vice President said adding that student movement launched by veteran socialist leader Jai Prakash Narain in mid 70s had also its genesis in this university. Stalwarts like first chief minister of West Bengal Bidhan Chandra Ray, socialist leader Jai Prakash Narain, Anugrah Narain Sinha, present Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi and union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad were product of this premier institution, he noted.
“When leaders like Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi were active as students of Patna University in students movement launched by Jai Prakash Narain, he was also engaged in this movement as president of Andhra Univesity Students Union, on his call,” Vice President recalled saying this movement had given a concrete direction to his political career.
Mr Naidu said, there was no doubt that Patna University was still contributing immensely to Bihar and the nation by producing excellent talents doing well in different walks of the society. It was really a pride for him to be part of the centenary celebration of its library, he felt.
Vice President, responding to the demand of central status to Patna University raised by chief minister Nitish Kumar and students present on the occasion, said it was known to all that he was in constitutional position and granting central status to any university did not come under his direct perview.
Despite this fact, he would take personal interest on the issue and call senior officers of the central government to discuss what could be done to improve facilities in Patna University besides looking into the demand of central status as well, he assured.
Mr Naidu said that students should devote some time for their physical fitness besides doing other activities including those related to academics.
Yoga was a good thing which should be practised by them as it would not only keep him physically fit but their mind would also remain sound. Only physical fitness with sound mind could bring prosperity to family, society and the nation, he remarked.
Earlier, addressing the function, chief minister Nitish Kumar recalled that centenary celebration of Patna University was organised two years back when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had graced the occasion. This centenary function was for library of the Patna University while the university itself had entered into 102nd year of its existence, he stated.
“When I was student of Patna University, its glory was all around to see not only in India but in entire Asia,” chief minister said adding that state government had been extending all assistance to the university to groom it further as institution par excellence but giving it central status would be a great impetus in achieving the cherished goal.
“I had raised the demand of central status to Patna University in presence of Prime Minister during its centenary celebrations but it was dismissed then”, he lamented. He requested Vice President to lend his support to the genuine demand of granting central status to Patna University as his gesture would be of great importance in realising the dream of central university for this premier institution.
(AGENCIES)
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