Inaugurates auditorium of Gandhi Memorial College
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 31: Maintaining that mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits was a huge loss for the Valley of Kashmir, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that Kashmir is incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community.
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Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing a function of Kashmiri Pandit intellectuals and scholars after inaugurating “Mata Saraswati Auditorium” in Gandhi Memorial Camp College, Raipur Bantalab near here, today.
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He, while highlighting the contribution of Kashmiri Pandits in the field of education, science and preserving their rich culture and heritage, said Kashmir will no longer Kashmir without the KP community.
He said the day will come when the majority community of Kashmir will regret the mass exodus of KPs and will urge them to come back to the Valley.
He said the KPs have made lot of contribution in preserving the composite culture of Kashmir but being away from Valley for over three decades now the children of both the communities were brought up in different milieu.
The Union Minister said the composite culture, which was the characteristic of Kashmir, must be restored, adding that the heritage of the Valley was kept alive by KPs living in harmony with other communities.
The Minister asserted that the day is not far when the two communities would live together with peace and harmony.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that things have changed for good in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370. He said in the heart of hearts, the common man even in the Kashmir Muslim community is happy with its revocation.
He said now the Kashmiri youth too realise that they should not miss the bus and be part of Narendra Modi’s developmental agenda and they don’t want to miss the bus but progress at par with other States of country.
Dr Jitendra Singh said India is progressing fast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government has embarked on a noble mission of revamping India’s education sector as per the requirements of contemporary India. Enumerating the salient features of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he emphasised that it has laid the ground for liberating students from being prisoners of the choices made for them by their parents and peers when it comes to choosing educational courses. He Stated that with the implementation of the NEP, students are now free to opt for higher courses, matching their talent.
Dr Jitendra Singh urged teachers to identify the inherent talent of the students and mentor them accordingly so that they can contribute to nation-building. He said these are the best times happening for India, and the country is at par with other countries, especially in Education, Science and Technology and StartUps. He informed that India is ranked No. 3 in world StartUp ecosystem.
Justifying that education was best trait of Kashmiri Pandits rather their strength, the Union Minister said the time has come when the serious members of the community have to ponder that what is going to keep their legacy alive.
Dr Jitendra Singh Stated that J&K would be among the front runners in India’s march towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He stressed the role of teachers towards this end, saying they have to take up cudgels to fashion students into architects of a Viksit Bharat. He appealed to the educators to encourage their wards to leverage technology for gaining knowledge, adding that these days, cost effective literature is readily available.
Calling for the tapping of explored Himalayan bio resources, Dr Jitendra Singh, said they hold the potential of making value addition to India’s economy. He urged the teachers to encourage students to take up StartUp initiatives which have emerged as new avenues of self employment.
He said a new eco system has developed in the country and teachers have to take the challenges. He said market linkage is a primary factor for sustaining the Startups.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that India has a better talent and it is recognized all over the world and asked teaching community to guide the students in a proper way.
Maintaining that the J&K has lot of contribution to make in country’s future economy provided it liberates itself of Government services mindset, Dr Jitendra Singh said private sector has lot of potential and Startups can guarantee lucrative jobs.
The Minister informed that the Government has decided to organise StartUp exhibitions across the country to create awareness about them. One such exhibition will be held in Srinagar soon, he further informed.
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the success of Purple Revolution which has brought J&K on the world map of StartUps.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the president of Hindu Education Society Kashmir (HESK), Prof B L Zutshi gave background of the Gandhi Memorial College and the contribution of Kashmiri Pandits in establishing educational institutions not only in J&K but other parts of country.
He also highlighted the role of Dr Jitendra Singh during early nineties when mass exodus of the Pandits took place and said that he (Dr Jitendra Singh) struggled shoulder to shoulder with community during its bad days.
Dr Zutshi who termed Dr Jitendra Singh the voice of voices said “He was the part of our struggle during the time of our exodus and he shared our pain and was always at the beck and call of the community’’.
He declared that the Government has given its nod to constitution of Governing Board for Gandhi College Srinagar and Jammu with Lt Governor as its Chairman.
Dr Ashok Raina from US who had donated Rs 29 lakh for the renovation of auditorium of the College also spoke on the occasion. He said that unless and until the local majority of Kashmir will come forward for settlement of displaced Pandits in Valley no Government can do anything in this regard.
On the occasion, certificates were also given to meritorious students of the college.
Prof K N Pandita, a well known scholar also spoke on the occasion. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof Virender Rawal, general secretary of the HESK while stage was managed by Virender Raina, Executive Member of HESK.
Special Secretary Higher Education, Ravi Shankar, former ADGP, Ashok Bhan, senior BJP leaders, Moti Koul, G L Raina, Surinder Ambardar, H L Bhat, Rakesh Koul, Ashok Kangan, KP leader and scholar, Dr Agnishekhar, Prof A N Sadhu, former HoD JU, B L Saraf, retired District and Sessions Judge, B L Bhat, president Nagdandi Ashram, Dr R L Dhar, ex Director Forensic, Dr Usha Kher, Dr Kailash Mehra Sadhu, I K Raina and Principal of College Talashi were among others present on the occasion.
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