PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina, Mamata Banerjee inaugurate Bangladesh Bhavan in Visva Bharati University

Along with the two PMs, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present at the event.

Modi, Hasina and Banerjee came down to Santiniketan to attend the convocation of the university.

The Bangladesh Bhavan, which symbolises the ties between the two nations, features a museum.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday apologised to the local people for the shortage of drinking water facility in Santiniketan as he attended the convocation of Visbha Bharati University along with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

While addressing the students, Modi urged them to turn 100 villages around Santiniketan in Birbhum district self-sufficient to mark the central university’s centenary in 2021.

“As I was coming by car, some children gestured to me that they don’t even have drinking water. As the chancellor, I tender my apology,” Modi said at the beginning of his speech. 

“The villages should have a power connection, LPG gas supply, the children should receive vaccinations, the villagers should be able to fill up forms digitally,” he said.

"In 2021, this institution will complete 100 years. By then can you take the partnership for the progress you have with 50 villages to a 100 or 200?"

The Prime Minister referred to a few central projects such as Swachh Bharat that would help them in this effort.