PatNew Delhi, Oct 4 (NationPress) On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a comprehensive range of education and skill development initiatives totaling over Rs 62,000 crore, with significant emphasis on Bihar, just ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

During the Skill Convocation Ceremony in New Delhi, PM Modi stated that these initiatives aim to empower India's youth and enhance Bihar's educational framework.

Two significant programs were introduced—the Rs 60,000 crore PM Setu Scheme, designed to connect ITIs directly with industry, and the launch of 1,200 skill labs in Navodaya Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Schools.

Furthermore, he presented appointment letters to thousands of youths and announced the creation of a new Skill University in Bihar, named after Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur.

“Karpoori Thakur dedicated his life to uplifting the weaker sections of society. The Skill University in his name will further that mission,” PM Modi remarked, warning against “those who attempt to take over his legacy.”

The Prime Minister also underscored Bihar’s swift educational transformation under the NDA, pointing to the growth of IIT Patna, NIT Patna, Patna University, Bhupendra Mandal University, Jaiprakash University (Chhapra), and Nalanda Open University.

He noted that scholarships under the CM Boys and Girls Scheme have been doubled, and loans under the student credit card scheme are now interest-free.

Taking a jab at the RJD, PM Modi stated: “Reviving a tree whose roots were eaten by worms is a remarkable feat. RJD’s misrule left Bihar in ruins, but under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the NDA has revitalized the state.”

Emphasizing the NDA’s record on employment, PM Modi mentioned that over 50 lakh youths have secured jobs in Bihar over the past two decades, with 10 lakh permanent positions in recent years, including 2.5 lakh teachers in the last two years. Nitish Kumar has set a goal to double job creation in the next five years.

The Prime Minister also connected the announcements to economic relief, highlighting the recent GST reductions on bikes and scooters, which he claimed had made Bihar’s youth “particularly happy ahead of Dhanteras.”

“India was once labeled among the ‘Fragile Five,’ but today it ranks among the world’s top three economies. When Bihar's youth rise, the strength of the nation also grows,” PM Modi stated.

On this occasion, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, JDU working president Sanjay Jha, additional public representatives, and countless students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country and educators participated in the event virtually.