J&K challenging State to govern: FM
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 4: Maintaining that young population of J&K has been able to demonstrate unprecedented resilience by academically excelling in the mist of disturbed environment, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today hoped that this resilience would end up bringing peace into the State. Click here to watch video
He said this while delivering Convocation Address at 17th Convocation of Jammu University here today where toppers and PhD pass out candidates of Jammu University were awarded Gold Medals and degrees in the presence of Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and others.
The Union Minister said that as member of the Parliamentary delegations over the last 20 years, he had opportunities to interact with the students in Valley and across the State, who used to be most impressive because of their resilience,
“I am sure it’s quite likely that ultimately it is this resilience and the opportunities that they see for themselves, may end up bringing what is an ultimate object as far as the State is concerned which is to bring peace into the State and work for the development of the J&K,” he said.
The Union Minister said that the J&K was a challenging State to govern, which requires determination, statesmanship, capacity to face criticism and yet be able to work effectively towards this object of bringing a stable and peaceful society and ensure that regions develop holistically.
Stressing that over the one or two decades, India is going to retain its position of one of the fastest growing economies of the world as China did in last three decades, the Union Finance Minister asked youth to get on from very beginning on fast track and then keep maintaining that lead.
He said that in today’s challenging competition, which has become very stiff, those who are able to retain only a level of mediocrity in their career actually start loosing at the very beginning.
Elaborating the changing nature of world economy and differentiating between the big companies prior to 1991 and post 1991, the Union Finance Minister said that most of the leaders today in industry are those who have used knowledge resources, ability of mind and creativity. “As Indian economy is going to expand further, the people with most modest of background who really utilized the potential of education, went into some form of innovation or skills, are the ones who are going to do well,” he predicted and exhorted the youth to capture the space on the top, which is vacant.
” There is great opportunity that is coming in way of India. World keeps facing its challenges and in the last few years India has started leaving its footprints behind becoming one of the faster economies of the world and it obviously means the opportunities for India and Indians are going to be increased,” he said and added that India was being looked as one of the bright spots in the world.
“Theoretically, the J&K should have been the most affluent part of this country because of its beautiful geography, tourist spots, limited population and tremendous resources, but unfortunately the curse of insurgency struck us,” he said and added that there was need of centers of excellence for human resource development as the in changing world, job opportunities are not merely locals.
“Both inside and outside the country there is huge scope. You have to look beyond geographical boundaries in terms of not merely wider,” he added.
Earlier, Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chancellor of the Jammu University, observed that institutions of higher learning assume relevance and become important only when their Faculties and scholars get involved in researching and finding solutions to the major problems which are faced by the people living in the State, in the region and all over the country. He appreciated that the Biotechnology Department of JU was presently involved in researches on certain problems which are faced by horticulturists in our State and in all other parts of the country where apples are grown and observed that culmination of this ongoing research project shall engender an outcome which is truly revolutionary in increasing the productivity of apple cultivation all over the country.
Chancellor stressed the crucial responsibility of the Vice Chancellor and all members of the Faculty to take interest and get involved in the character building of students. He observed that it was extremely important that besides doing well in their studies, and securing degrees and awards, our youth must imbibe moral and ethical values. “Every good scholar must also be a good human being and have both the desire and the capacity to work for improving the society to which he belongs and constantly strives to contribute, even if in a very small measure, to building a strong and prosperous India,” he added.
Chancellor advised that the men and women who pass out of the Universities need to get meaningfully involved with the resolution of societal problems and should become responsible for utilizing their knowledge and skill for promoting the welfare of the less advantaged segments of the societies in which they live. He appealed that all those who were passing out must devote at least some of their time and resources towards spreading literacy and undertaking any task, no matter how small, which will contribute towards the alleviation of poverty and promotion of human welfare.
Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister and Pro-Chancellor of the University, in her address, said that her Government has resolved to create a knowledge society in the State to match the requirements of a globalised world.
She said that her Government has recently launched a Knowledge Initiative with the sole objective of creating an atmosphere in which the talent of young people in the State is honed and they are provided the best opportunities. “Built on the three pillars of Education, Employability and Empowerment, the Initiative represents the goals in this regard,” she added.
Terming education and learning as vehicles for human betterment, Mehbooba said the pursuit of knowledge requires a continuous process of testing, reassessment, challenge and debate. She said there should be recognition of the fact to know more and be open to ideas and new perspectives and even possibilities. This, she said, requires to work with courage, generosity and humility to create an intellectual community.
The Chief Minister said she was happy to see many young girls were being awarded medals and degrees in today’s convocation which gives her the reason to see Jammu & Kashmir showing a way for women led development rather than development for women.
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