Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 22: Maintaining that Jammu is fast emerging as North India’s education hub, Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent Charge of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today took the critics to task for misleading the public that nothing has happened in J&K for last two years after annulling of Article 370 and converting J&K into Union Territory.
Speaking at a function to mark the five-year journey of IIM Jammu, through virtual mode, the Union Minister said that critics including some “so called intellectuals and academicians” who opt repeatedly say that nothing has happened in last two years must analyse the progress made by IIM Jammu during this period by comparing it with other IIMs in the country.
He also lambasted those who continue to mislead the people saying that discrimination with Jammu region still continues and asserted that Modi Government has given equitable treatment to every region. This can be gauged from the fact that several projects in educational, health and other sectors have been set up in J&K.
Giving all credit to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, DrJitendra Singh said Jammu is fast becoming pioneering education hub and this has been possible because of personal intervention and indulgence of Prime Minister and high prioritisation given by him to Jammu & Kashmir as also to Northeast and Ladakh. “But unfortunately our critics can’t see the same and they continue to hoodwink the public opinion by saying nothing has happened”, he added.
The Union Minister said, the Institute has made a mark in a very short span of time and that too despite the crippling effects of COVID in the last two years. He said that the IIM Jammu is one of the major achievements of the Modi Government in the education sector in Jammu & Kashmir and is catering to all sections of society, be it region wise or gender wise or otherwise.
Reiterating that Jammu has emerged as a pioneer Education nucleolus, where students from neighbouring States like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab are seeking academic openings and prospects, Dr Jitendra Singh said today Jammu can boast of having premier institutes in India like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Mass Communication, AIIMS, upgraded Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of High Altitude Medicine at Bhaderwah, Industrial Biotech Park at Kathua, North India’s first Space Centre at Central University Jammu etc. Moreover, other Centrally funded institutes like over half a dozen Government Medical Colleges, RUSA funded Engineering Colleges, Ayurvedic College, an upcoming Homeopathic College and a chain of Kendriya Vidyalayas in the Jammu province is a reality today, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that Jammu will soon witness huge industrial investment to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore and mostly in the health Sector thus opening a large number of employment opportunities for youth in the area and also for IIM students. He, however, urged them to become job providers, rather than job seekers through innovative start-up ventures.
The Minister said, “We have to come out of the entrenched mind-set of getting Government jobs for all, which is neither feasible nor desirable anywhere in the world”, he added.
Dr.Jitendra Singh further said that with the historical constitutional changes happened after August 5, 2019 and the barriers of academic growth done away with, the best faculty from different fields from all over India are ready to come to J&K to serve with dedication as the previous apprehensions have gone now with the new order of law coming into existence.
Dr Jitendra Singh noted with satisfaction that beginning from a batch of 54 students in 2016, IIM, Jammu today has more than 250 students and 30 eminent faculty including six international adjunct professors. He also complimented the faculty and students for getting a beautiful complex at Jagti by 2022 with all modern facilities at par with best such institutes in India.
In his Presidential address, Dr. Milind Kamble, Chairman Board of Governors , IIM, Jammu said that it is heartening to see that IIM, Jammu is making rapid strides and has earned an outstanding reputation in such a short period of time because of its academic excellence, research, executive education and corporatized international linkages. He recalled that IIM, Lucknow played a role of mentorship during the initial years and today we are having global tie-ups for sharing academic experiences and publishing high value research papers in top class Indian and Global Publications.”
In his address, the former Chairman Board of Governors, Shriram Dandekar said, with new Centres of Innovation established, IIM,Jammu should aspire to become one of the finest Business Schools in the World.
Professor B.S. Sahay, Director IIM Jammu, in his welcome address, said their vision is to develop leaders and entrepreneurs who can perform globally and give valuable contribution to the society. He also took pride in opening up the Centre of Happiness-Anandam, first of its kind in the country. Sahay informed that 14 MoUs have been signed for International Exchange programmes for students and academia. He said, soon a tripartite agreement will be signed with IIT and AIIMS Jammu for joint research programmes.
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