Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that youth of Jammu and Kashmir are second to none in talent and ability as is evident by their outstanding performance in the National level examinations in which they have proven their mettle and made mark conspicuously.
“Their quest to seek higher education at the reputed institutions in the Country makes them move out of the State to other parts of the Country”, he said and expressed concern over the difficulties Kashmiri students face in getting accommodation and carrying on their educational activities.
“I am reiterating it time and again at the National and the State forums that there is dire need of mindset change vis-a-vis Kashmiri youth pursuing education and those engaged in economic activities at the Country level so that they do not feel any discrimination at any level and are not put to uncalled for trouble”, he said adding that every Kashmiri is not gun-wielding person and most of those who once held guns have renunciated violence.
Addressing a largely attended public gathering after laying foundation stone of Central University of Kashmir in Ganderbal with Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. M. M. Pallam Raju, the Chief Minister said that boys and girls of this place want palatable and conducive environment for them in other parts of the Country to seek higher education. He said they do not want to be looked with suspicion.
“They want equal respect and treatment from their fellow countrymen in other parts of the Country”, he said and maintained that the State Government would provide them all support and help in this regard. He said the State heads in various States of the Country and Central leadership should also play their important role in this direction.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Forests ane Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Hajj and Aquaf and Floriculture, Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Minister for CAPA, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Minister for Tourism, G. A. Mir, Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Legislator and Provincial President, National Conference, Nasir Aslam Wani, various legislators from Congress and National Conference, Vice Chancellor Central University of Kashmir, Prof. Abdul Wahid, Vice Chancellors of various Universities and senior government officers were present on the occasion among others.
Underscored the need for reserving some quota in the Central University for J&K boys and girls and ensuring appointment of maximum non-teaching staff amongst the locals, the Chief Minister highlighted the role of people of Ganderbal in the establishment of Central University in this area which is otherwise scarce in land availability.
Omar, who is also MLA from this area, praised the people of Ganderbal for providing huge chunk of land for the establishment of Central University and impressed upon the management of the University to recognize the fact that by providing their land to the University the owners have lost their only source of income. “You should, as such, provide them maximum employment in the University”, he added.The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson for granting two Central Universities to the State adding that this has perhaps made Jammu and Kashmir unique in the Country to have two such Universities.
The Chief Minister also asked the educated youth to get best advantage of the Central University and seek higher education for serving the people in the State and the Country as fully qualified and learned force. He said present age is the age of competition and youth have to face various challenges in pursuing higher educational goals, as such, they should prepare themselves for tougher competitions and prove their ability.
Omar said that in a State like Jammu and Kashmir education is the key to holistic development and economic welfare. He said expansion of higher education through various Universities is receiving focus and the orbit of accessibility to the students to pursue higher goals in education has been expanded.
Addressing the gathering, Dr M M Pallam Raju highlighted the initiatives taken by UPA Government for growth and development of education in the Country. He said that the Right to Education initiative of UPA Government has helped the enhancement in the enrolment of children in schools. He said presently 23 crore boys and girls are receiving education from 1st to 12th classes in the schools in the Country. He said mid-day meal is being provided to over 11 crore children and the growth of schools across the Country is apace.
Raju said that 40 Central Universities have been opened in the Country of which two are in Jammu and Kashmir raising the number of Universities in Jammu and Kashmir to 11. He said Union Government has focused on developing knowledge economy to make the Country globally recognized in this field. He said the Central University in Ganderbal would not only generate educational temperament but help in the growth and development of the area.
Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand in his speech sought the enhanced Central assistance for construction of school buildings in remote and far-off areas of the State. He said the topography of the State calls for special Central dispensation in this regard. He also sought the ratio of 90:10 in the Central financial assistance for the State under RMSA.
Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone while lauding the role of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in obtaining two Central Universities for the State and establishing one of these in Ganderbal area presented resume of the measures in place in the State for enhancing accessibility to youth to pursue higher education goals.
The State Higher Education Minister said that 12 Women Colleges are being established in the State to expand the orbit of education for girl students. He said educational sector has been flagged as one of the most important sectors by the Omar Abdullah-led government and all efforts are on to achieve new highs in this sector.Lone showered praises on the people of Ganderbal for extending their support and providing required land for the establishment of Central University in this area.
Chancellor of the Central University, Dr. Srikumar Banerjee and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdul Wahid also spoke on the occasion.Later, the Chief Minister and the Union Human Resource Minister laid foundation of Moulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Satellite Campus at Budgam and addressed a public gathering there.
Omar highlighted the importance of Urdu University in Budgam and said that it would give impetus to the efforts of the State Government to nurture the State’s official language (Urdu). He said the University would provide greater opportunity to the students to access higher education in Urdu medium. He said Urdu University should not be misinterpreted to be the University of a Particular Religion. He said languages are not associated with religions and students need to learn these without any bias. “Urdu University is open for students of any religion, creed, caste, colour or region”, he said and referred to the sweetness of Urdu and its rich literature.
The Chief Minister said that education in Jammu and Kashmir during the period of disturbance received severe jolt and students were put into greater difficulties due to hartals and lock outs. He said his government has concentrated to put education back on rails and create educational environment in educational institutions. He said equal focus is on enhancing opportunities of technical education and upgrade skills of educated youth. He said that Budgam is fortunate to have a University Campus of National repute adding that it would benefit not only Budgam but the entire State.
Dr Raju in his speech praised the State Government for achieving high performance in realizing educational targets and said that 76 percent of the population of children of the age group of 6 to 14 years are presently enrolled in schools in the State which is an encouraging trend.
Dr Raju said that development of technical education and skill development have been recognized as thrust areas and ‘young India’ is being nurtured in these fields to be leaders globally. He said Union Government is also assisting Jammu and Kashmir to upgrade skills and impart technical education to youth to enhance their employability.The Vice Chancellor of Moulana Azad National Urdu University, Prof. Mohammad Miyan presented the resume of activities of MANUU and its objective and aims to reach out students in the Valley through its satellite campus.Legislators Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and Aga Syed Roohullah also spoke on the occasion.