PM Modi apologises for lack of drinking water in Santiniketan
Santiniketan, May 25 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday apologised to the local people for the shortage of drinking water facility in Santiniketan as he attended the convocation of Visbha Bharati University along with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
While addressing the students, Modi urged them to turn 100 villages around Santiniketan in Birbhum district self-sufficient to mark the central university’s centenary in 2021.
“As I was coming by car, some children gestured to me that they don’t even have drinking water. As the chancellor, I tender my apology,” Modi said at the beginning of his speech.
“The villages should have a power connection, LPG gas supply, the children should receive vaccinations, the villagers should be able to fill up forms digitally,” he said.
"In 2021, this institution will complete 100 years. By then can you take the partnership for the progress you have with 50 villages to a 100 or 200?"
The Prime Minister referred to a few central projects such as Swachh Bharat that would help them in this effort.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were present on the dais when Modi was speaking.
Hasina and Banerjee became the first head of government of a foreign country and the first chief minister to be present during the convocation ceremony.
“It is a rare occasion where the prime ministers of two countries are present at the convocation programme of a university,” said Modi.
He said Bangladesh and India are bonded by cooperation and understanding.
"Our countries (India and Bangladesh) are joined in cooperation and collaboration. Be it about culture or public policy, Bangladesh and India can learn a lot of things from each other," the PM said.
Referring to Rabindranath Tagore, who had founded Visva Bharati, Modi said the poet looked at the world as "one nest, one home."
"Gurdev (Rabindranath Tagore) said the world is one nest, one home. Gurudev gave his entire life to the belief that 'world is one family' (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)."
Addressing students, the PM said: "Your degree is the proof of your educational prowess. But you haven't just got a degree here, you have received something much more unique. You are the custodians of a great legacy."
"You all are custodians of a culture that is both ancient and modern," Modi said.
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