Mata Vaishno Devi University is funded by poor: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra is the only varsity in the country which gets funded by the poor and pilgrims, who come to the holy shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The universities in our country normally get funded by the taxpayers' money, but this is the only university as an exception which is built through the contribution of many pilgrims, poor, who came to Mata Vaishno Devi temple," Prime Minister Modi said while speaking at the fifth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

"Let's pledge that we will do something for the poor because it was a poor pilgrim, who contributed to build this university," he added.

Advising the students to be content with their achievements rather than regretting the failures, Prime Minister Modi urged the students to recall the contribution of their parents.

"You may have thought of so much in your childhood, but things might not have worked out. Forget that and instead think of what you have achieved," he said.

Prime Minister Modi further said the person, who knows what lies ahead in life doesn't need to depend on others.

He said India is scaling new heights of progress, adding the nation has huge possibilities to achieve much more with such a youthful population.

"This is a century of knowledge and whenever there has been an era of knowledge, India has showed the way to world," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Kakryal near Katra.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, the chairman of the Shrine Board and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti were also present on the occasion.