In a significant initiative aimed at Gen Z, the Modi government intends to dispatch one Union minister to a different university each day to interact with students, address their concerns, and gain a deeper understanding of their views on national issues.
The initiative follows student demonstrations over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and in various other regions across the country.
As part of the 'One Day, One University' programme, a Union Minister will visit a designated university to engage with students, hear their perspectives on various topics, and brief them on different government welfare schemes, especially those aimed at young people and students, according to sources familiar with the initiative who spoke to PTI.
It is understood that Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have been tasked with coordinating with universities and ministers regarding the visits.
Sources said the proposed initiative was also discussed at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
According to the University Grants Commission, there are as many as 1,300 universities in the country, including 57 central universities and 522 state universities, while others are either deemed-to-be or private universities.
The police crackdown on protesting students here on July 20 had led to a massive backlash, with the Opposition disrupting proceedings during the Monsoon session of Parliament.
Amid ongoing student demonstrations, Dharmendra Pradhan was compelled to step down as education minister on July 25.
Prime Minister Modi reached out to the students several times via social media platforms through reels.
During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a range of initiatives focused on the youth, such as free online coaching, an AI skills development programme, a sports talent search, and an expansion of the civil defence network.
He also highlighted the opportunities available to them in sectors spanning manufacturing, space, nuclear energy, and semiconductors.