Bengal to extend Rs 100 cr to boost infrastructure

Kolkata: Stating that it is quite essential to take up research work in institutions of higher education, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced that the state government will be providing a financial support of Rs 100 crore for infrastructure development.

The Chief Minister made the announcement while giving the convocation speech of Calcutta University at Nazrul Manch.

She said: "There is a need to undertake work on innovation. Let the university take further step for work on innovation. If needed, necessary infrastructure will be developed and our government will give Rs 100 crore for the same."

Banerjee further said: "The students present here today will shape the future of the country. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda are our inspirations and students and youths must learn from them." She further said that there is a need to focus on character-building of students.

While speaking about different projects of the state government, Banerjee stated that how those have helped in improving the society. "We have achieved the first rank in NREGA through convergence. Kanyashree Prakalpa has been awarded with the best public service award in the world," Banerjee said, adding that the project has also helped in bringing down the school drop-out rate among girls. Moreover, institutional delivery rate has also increased. She said that it was 65% in 2011 and at present, it has gone up to 95%.

Stating that students and youths are our future, she said: "Besides continuing with their studies, students and youths also need to come forward to build the society. It will never happen that one in the state cannot continue with studies for being in a financially disadvantageous position. We will give everything to those who need help for their studies. Scholarships in the name of Swami Vivekananda is also given to students."

While speaking about the university, Banerjee said: "Calcutta University has witnessed all revolutions that took place. The university is full of life and history."

She further said that the name of the university is known all over the world.

It may be mentioned that the University of Calcutta is the only university from Bengal, identified by the MHRD and the UGC as one among five universities in India for the "Connect to India" programme. NAAC has accredited the university with Grade A during their third cycle.

Moreover, the University Library has secured the first position among all state and central universities in India.