Noting the importance of research works in innovation in institutions of higher education, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on January 11, 2017 announced to provide financial support of INR 100 crore for infrastructure development in the mentioned field.
“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 INR 100 crore for the same,” Banerjee said while speaking at a convocation ceremony of Calcutta University at Nazrul Manch.
Saying that the students of today have the capacity to shape the future, she said they need to learn a lot from many inspirational leaders such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda and their focus should be on character building.
“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 said, adding, “There is a need to focus on character-building of students as well.”
Mamata Banerjee encouraged the student community to come forward to build the society and said her government is ready to provide all kinds of help for needy students starting from financial aid to scholarships.
“Besides continuing their studies, students and youths also need to come forward to build the society,” the chief minister said,” adding, “We will give everything to those who need help for their studies. Scholarships in the name of Swami Vivekananda is also given to students.”
Highlighting some of the projects that were of great help for the education sector, the chief minister said that one such project Kanyashree Prakalpa, which received the best public service award in the world, has helped in bringing down the school drop-out rate among girls in the state.
“Kanyashree Prakalpa has been awarded with the best public service award in the world,” Banerjee said, adding, “The project has also helped in bringing down the school drop-out rate among girls.”
Saying that Calcutta University has witnessed many revolutions, she said it was the only university from West Bengal to be identified by the MHRD and the UGC as one of the five universities in India for the “Connect to India” programme.
“Calcutta University has witnessed all revolutions that took place. The university is full of life and history” Banerjee said, adding, “It is the only university from Bengal to be identified by the MHRD and the UGC as one among five universities in India for the ‘Connect to India’ programme.”
According to reports, the chief minister was honoured with Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt.) degree by the Calcutta University during its convocation ceremony.
