GANDERBAL, May 28: Declaring that the youth of J&K are second to none in talent and ability, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah however, underlined the need for mindset change towards Kashmiris at country level. Youth of J&K 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, he said. “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 public meeting after laying foundation stone of Central University of Kashmir (CUK) here in central Kashmir, with Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr M M Pallam Raju, the Chief Minister said 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. Underscored the need for reserving some quota in the Central University for J&K boys and girls and ensuring the 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. Mr Abdullah, who is also MLA from this area, praised the people of Ganderbal for providing a huge chunk of land for the establishment of Central University and urged management of the University to recognise 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 Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for granting two Central Universities to the State adding that this has perhaps made J&K 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. Mr Abdullah said in a State like J&K 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. (UNI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel