Jairam Ramesh addresses the National Heritage Day function at Central University of Bihar in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Jan. 12: Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh today said the Centre was committed to expand the reach of higher education from an existing 10 per cent to 20-30 per cent of the people in the next decade.

Jairam, who was speaking at a function on National Heritage Day and National Youth Day organised on Central University of Bihar, at BIT Patna, said: “Only 10 per cent of the total population in India has the privilege of higher education and these societies have a social responsibility bestowed upon them.”

Ramesh said in the next decade, a number of colleges would be built so that the vast population can avail of the benefits of higher education. Talking about the subsidy provided to students pursuing higher education, the minister said India is among a few countries where huge subsidies are granted to students in higher education. He added education at the primary and Montessori levels is more expensive than higher education. Ramesh also said people availing of higher education should never feel that it is a luxury, as there has been no fee hike in Patna University since 1952.

The Union minister also highlighted the importance of National Youth Day, today being the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

“It is high time that people should learn from Swamiji and his teachings as he not only brought the ancient Vedic religion to the front but also put India on the world map,” said Ramesh.

Ramesh also highlighted the contribution of Bihar in ancient civilisation.

“Bihar happens to be the cradle of Indian civilisation as Nalanda University and Vikramshila University were in Bihar and the soil of Bihar has produced Gautam Buddha and Ashoka who were pillars of ancient Indian history.” He also praised the Union and the state governments in paving ways for the revival of Nalanda University.

The Union minister said that he has been associated with the BIT family as his father was a professor at BIT Mesra in Ranchi and he had done his initial schooling from St Xavier’s School in Doranda in Ranchi.

Former director-general of police D.N. Gautam, speaking at the function, said Swamiji’s greatest contribution was that he raised his head in a foreign land when our country was under control of the British empire.

Gautam said: “Swamiji believed that the greatest service to god is service to mankind and his life and teachings are true inspiration for today’s youth.”