PM Modi apologises to students of Visva Bharati University

Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised for all the inconvenience caused to students of Visva Bharati University on Friday while presiding over the convocation ceremony on Friday.

PM Modi said, "First of all, as the chancellor of Visva Bharati University, I seek your apologies. When I was coming here, some students were telling me with gestures that there is no arrangement of drinking water. I want to apologise for all the inconvenience caused to you."

PM invoked Rabindranath Tagore saying, "It is my privilege that I have got this opportunity to spend time on Rabindranath Tagore's soil. Tagore will always be remembered as a global citizen."

"In 2021, this institution will complete 100 years. By then can you take the partnership for progress you have with 50 villages to a 100 or 200?."

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also present in the Convocation.

"Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is present with us. India and Bangladesh are two separate countries, but our interests are connected. Be it culture or public policy, we learn a lot from each other. One such example is Bangladesh Bhavan," PM said.

PM congratulated Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and people of Bangladesh for having launched their first satellite. He said, "I am sure our countries will cooperate even more in the future in the arena of space technology."

PM also said that both India and Bangladesh face similar challenges like climate change. But our goals are similar too - like electrifying every last home, ensuring affordable healthcare to all, etc.

Earlier, PM Modi was received by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and Union Minister Babul Supriyo.

PM Modi met his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at Santiniketan after the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhawan. The Bangladesh Bhaban in Santiniketan will house a museum and a library dedicated to the 1971 Liberation War.