Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the Foundation Stone of a Hostel exclusively for Northeast girl students in Bengaluru today. The hostel, which is the first of its kind in Bangalore University, will have a capacity to accommodate 269 students and will be constructed at a cost of around Rs. 14 crore. Speaking on the occasion after laying the foundation stone, Dr Jitendra Singh said, soon after taking over the Ministry of DoNER about one and a half year back, he had realized the importance of having hostels for Northeast students in different Universities where they are undergoing studies in particularly high numbers. Considering the fact that Bangalore University attracts students from Northeast in huge numbers, many of whom find it difficult to afford accommodation, Dr Jitendra Singh said, he had decided to make a beginning from the Bangalore University and that too for the girl scholars.
Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that the next hostel project will shortly be started in the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, where land has already been acquired by the North Eastern Council (NEC). Since JNU has a larger number of students from the eight North Eastern States compared to several other States of India, it was found appropriate to raise the facility there, he said. Meanwhile, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that negotiations are going on with Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, Prof. Yogesh K Tyagi for suitable land to have a hostel for Northeast students in the South Campus. Following up this initiative, Dr Jitendra Singh said, he is now looking for land in other student hub towns like Pune as well.For students looking for quality education in some of the best institutions of the country, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the DoNER Ministry has taken upon itself the responsibility of enabling the youngsters from Northeast to achieve highest form of academic qualification as per their potential. Among those present on the occasion were Shri T. B. Jayachandra, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University Prof. B. Thimme Gowda, Additional Chief Secretary of Karnataka Shri Bharat Lal Meena, Secretary, North Eastern Council (NEC) Dr. Ram Muivah and senior officers of the Union Ministry of DoNER.