Quality human resource key to prosperity: Naeem Akhtar

CUK Celebrates ‘Digital India Week’

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 02-Jul-2015

Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar Thursday said, JK’s human resource is second to none and unless a concerted effort is made to harness, hone and regenerate the creativity that Kashmir is known for, the mental levels of ambition of our youth would continue to be curbed. He said unfortunately the best of Kashmiri youth are not able to think beyond the ceiling of casual and seasonal employment.The Minister was speaking as the Chief Guest at a function organised in connection with the celebration of ‘Digital India Week’ at the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) here.Addressing the largely attended gathering, the Minister said that it is the youth including the professionals, doctors and engineers etc who have now to play an active role in governance and have to guide, monitor and ensure accountability in governance.The Minister said unless the education system becomes a source of knowledge, awareness, and empowerment we will not be able to excel in other fields. He said we are on a path of retrieval and have already made small beginnings at the primary level, because it is at this level where the minds are molded and where attitudes are formed. “If the first brick is not laid correctly the wall built as a result is always weak or faulty,” he said.

Akhtar said human resource is the greatest resource that God has created. Speaking of different models across the world he said, Human Resource Development is important as it drives the nations forward. Giving reference of Japan’s re-emergence as the second largest economy of the world through development of its human resource after World War II, the Minister said for Human Resource Development and for the growth of a knowledge society there is need to tap human energies and potentialities and it is important that we understand that it is not physical or material resource that defines a nation or its people but it is the quality of its human resource.The Minister said that we need to build ourselves for competition at the global or the national level being part of a big developing economy, adding that we could occupy all economic spaces in the country but only if we make ourselves indispensable. Referring to the market economy of the present day, the Minister said that there are no favourites there and only if you are better than the others you will excel and achieve your goals. He said we may find it tough at certain levels, but need to prepare ourselves for the adverse as well and unless we do so we would only be strengthening the feeling of cynicism.

The Minister said that it is expected of the Central University of Kashmir to be a knowledge leader in this part of the world, so that one looks up to it for handholding the school education which is in dire need of every kind of help. He said it is high time we help rejuvenate the Government school education system as it has huge social implications.  We need to restore the dignity of the Government system of education which is still providing education at the school level to 16 lakh children of the State, he said.  Earlier, in view of celebrations of ‘Digital India Week’ two movies namely ‘Kashmir into the murky waters’ and ‘Saaz’ were screened on the occasion. The Minister also released a magazine ‘Kashmir Impulse’ in presence of various dignitaries.Vice Chancellor, Central University, Kashmir, Prof. Mehraj –u – Din Mir, Registrar, Central University, Kashmir, Afzal Zargar, Deans of various Departments, besides faculty and a large number of students were also present on the occasion.