PATNA, Oct. 11 -- Union education minister Pralhad Joshi urged students to embrace critical thinking, genuine comprehension, innovation to drive the nation forward and shun the mechanical memorisation of lessons in textbooks. Addressing a gathering at Patna's Bapu Sabhagar on Saturday, Joshi emphasised that true academic excellence lies not in cramming textbooks to pass exams, but in cultivating creative potential and pioneering fresh ideas. Joshi highlighted that the National Education Policy places foundational weight on regional languages and creative pedagogy, ensuring children absorb complex concepts naturally in their mother tongues. Pointing to the central government's substantial budgetary corpus of one lakh crore rupees dedicated to fostering innovation, the minister cited dynamic startups to illustrate how original thought translates into real-world impact. Joshi underscored that today's youth will be the architects of an economically surging India when the nation marks its centenary of independence in 2047. Joshi and Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary also held a review meeting at the CM's Secretariat 'Samvad' hall. Focusing on accelerating academic quality, modernising infrastructure, and streamlining centrally sponsored programs, the leadership took stock of 101 sanctioned projects under RUSA and PM-USHA. Underscoring Bihar's unique educational landscape, Choudhary noted that government schools account for nearly 80% of all schools and student enrolments in the state, making robust public sector institutions vital. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Joshi for continued central backing, Choudhary directed state administrative machinery to guarantee timely and complete utilisation of all central allocations. Choudhary urged the Centre to expedite concrete work on resurrecting the historic Vikramshila University, following the formal transfer of 220 acres of land by the state government on July 15, 2026. The state also placed key requests on the table to widen student access, including the establishment of two dedicated off-campus centres of Banaras Hindu University in Bihar and the expansion of the Kendriya Vidyalaya network across districts. The CM sought central financial assistance totaling Rs.5,275 crore at the rate of Rs.25 crore rupees per college to upgrade infrastructure across 211 state-run degree colleges. In a major welfare push, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary transferred Rs.1,237.48 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of over 1.08 crore social security pensioners for September. Beneficiaries-including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and widows-received Rs.1,100 each. The CM noted that 93,835 new beneficiaries were added in September alone. He directed District Magistrates and local representatives to ensure no eligible individual is left behind, leveraging Panchayat Vikas Diwas and health surveys to identify beneficiaries and ensure transparent, dignified support for all....