Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Sunday that global universities must undertake a study of the rich traditions that have defined the country’s history over the years.

Addressing a rally of members of self-help groups (SHGs) promoted by Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project at Ratnavarma Heggade Stadium, Mr. Modi said that crores of institutions across the country lived for others and not for self and Dharmasthala was an example of this.

“We rank a whole lot of things, but the need of the hour is to rank religious institutions that have stood the test of time,” Mr. Modi said and added that engineering colleges, commerce colleges are ranked and hospitals were surveyed but not religious institutions.

He said that the study should focus on how such institutions were built, how they managed their finances, how they maintained transparency and how they have kept traditional practices alive.

Mr. Modi said that one must learn from D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala, to lead a legacy and life guided by an 800-year-old tradition.

“The smile never goes off his [Mr. Heggade’s] face, every time that I have seen him; work doesn’t weigh him down,” Mr. Modi said

He said that it was a tough life to lead when one is in the shoes of Mr. Heggade given that it was dedicated for others.

“After visiting Kedar last week, it is my privilege to visit the South and pay my obeisances to Lord Manjunatheshwara,” he said.