IndiaPosted at: Jun 11 2016 4:13PM ShareSAARC future rests on pillars of people-to-people contact, state investmentNew Delhi, Jun 11 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh today said the future of South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) rests on the pillars of State investment, assistant, corporation, people-to-people contact and connectivity. Speaking at the South Asian University convocation here, Mr Singh said, "SAARC regions are united by history geography, custom and religion and they have a lot in common like sports, culture, cuisine and movies. Calling youth as the leader of tomorrow, the MoS urged the students to promote friendship among the people of the region. ''During the 2014 summit, SAARC leaders agreed to promote regional corporation in the field of education and that's why India has decided to bear 100 per cent of capital cost to establish the Universities. "Our endeavour was to build a culture of understanding and regional consciousness, nurture liberal right and leadership quality in our youth," he added. While congratulating and giving certificates to the graduating students, Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister of Nepal Kamal Thapa said, "South Asian region, with all its diversity, has common challenges, which should be the concern for all, the University was designed to ensure that we collectively garner those faculties and split of scientific inquiry, he added. Mr Thapa said the convocation is a sign that SAARC has arrived in the stage of declaratory, for which the decision was taken in Dhaka. South Asian region have achieved glory in the field of knowledge and have teachers like Chanakya, Ved Vyas, Valmiki, Gautam Budh. He said, "It is the demonstration of our willingness and the ability to work together across borders to achieve greatness, that we can set example of regional corporation with the world through this great institution. South Asia cannot just be seen as a place when there was poverty and backwardness, as the region has made significant strides in Economic, Social and technology development, he said. Around 450 students received degrees, while 31 were honored with SAU gold medals for excellence. SAU is an international varsity established, funded and maintained by the governments of the member nations of SAARC. UNI SHS RJ 1612