Saraswati Vidya Niketan schools to come up in all 534 blocks: CM

Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday said model schools named Saraswati Vidya Niketan would be established in each of the state’s 534 blocks as part of the govt’s efforts to make Bihar a strong centre of education.Addressing a function at the legislative council auditorium for the release of a book on the life of Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Samrat said Bihar was known in ancient times as a global centre of learning with institutions such as Nalanda University and Vikramshila University attracting students from abroad. He said the Saraswati Vidya Niketan schools would be developed to such a level that students would prefer them over even the leading private schools run by Christian missions.Samrat said former CM Nitish Kumar had envisioned a prosperous Bihar and that the present NDA govt was working to realise that dream. “Former CM Nitish Kumar has dreamed about a prosperous Bihar, which we are taking forward. In the social welfare and fulfilling basic needs of people – like roads, electricity and water, along with other developmental works – a lot of work has been done,” Samrat said.“Our efforts are tied to promoting industrialization and having a lot of industries. The work is being done in this direction,” he added.Referring to Veer Savarkar, Samrat said his thoughts could inspire the building of a prosperous and developed Bihar as well as contribute to “rashtra nirmaan”. “We have appealed to people of Bihar living outside the state to return to it and make contributions to its development and prosperity,” he said, adding that proper infrastructure and an enabling ecosystem were being created in the state.Samrat said the govt had decided to award contracts for projects worth up to Rs 50 crore and was focusing on involving Bihari entrepreneurs through consultations with Bihar Industries Association and Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Highlighting Bihar’s rich cultural diversity, including Bhojpuri, Mithila, Magahi and Angika-speaking regions, he said efforts were being made to secure the joint presence of President Droupadi Murmu and the governor for the unveiling of a statue of Tilka Manjhi at Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University.