SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL, AT THE INAUGURATION OF NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BHADERWAH CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF JAMMU

Bhaderwah,26 May 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here on the occasion of the inauguration of Bhaderwah Campus of the University of Jammu. I would like to congratulate Lt. Gen (Retd.) S.K. Sinha the Chancellor of this University and Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Pro-Chancellor of the University on this occasion. I have no doubt that it is because of their vision and planning that we are today witnessing the expansion of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. I would also like to compliment the Vice-Chancellor, the Rector and the staff of the University for their hard work over the years, which is now bearing fruit.

I am very happy to see a large number of children present here. Their smiles bring joy to all of us. Their cheerful faces convey hope for a bright tomorrow. I wish them the very best for the future and I am confident that with the right guidance and good education they will lead India into a glorious future. It is said that, "Upon our children and how they are taught, rests the fate and fortune of tomorrow's world".

Education is the most important tool for empowering the people of a country. The quest for knowledge has always been a part of the ethos of our country. In a fast emerging knowledge based society, I call upon the children and youth of our country to study and acquire as much knowledge as possible for an enlightened future for themselves and the country. Increasing the accessibility of education and improving its quality will put the State of Jammu and Kashmir on the firm road to peace and stability. I am happy, therefore, to note that the State Government has laid great emphasis on creating new institutions of higher education and revitalizing the existing ones. I have been informed that during the last five years three new Universities have come up in the State. These include the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University at Rajouri, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University at Katra and Islamic University of Science and Technology at Awantipura. I understand that efforts are underway to establish two more Universities in Kashmir - an Islamic University funded by various trusts and foundations and Sharda Peeth University under the aegis of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. All these initiatives are steps in the right direction. To take it forward further, public support is important especially in the field of higher education. The possibility of public-private partnership in this sector should be further explored for faster expansion of higher education.

As we expand our educational infrastructure, we must also pay attention to ensuring equitable access to education, particularly to the disadvantaged. There is need to spread the higher education network to backward areas, rural areas and remote areas. The initiative of the University of Jammu, to establish offsite campuses at Bhaderwah, Kathua, Udhampur and Poonch is commendable as it takes higher education to the doorsteps of the disadvantaged and hitherto excluded sections of society living in the remote hilly and border areas of the state.

I would like to congratulate the people of Bhaderwah on this day for getting a campus site. This Campus reflects the natural beauty of Bhaderwah, known for its scenic landscape and the talent of its people. I had heard a lot about the pristine natural glory of this region and its description as "Chotta" Kashmir. But I must admit it is even more enchanting than I had expected. Also, Bhaderwah's contribution to the educational and literary life of this State is well known. The great poet of this region, Abdul Qudoos Rasa Javidani as well as educationists and social activists like Ghulam Rasool Azad and Chuni Lal Kotwal are known for their contributions even outside this State. I am also aware that the people of Bhaderwah have, throughout these years, maintained a spirit of tolerance, brotherhood and harmony despite difficulties. I salute their spirit of tolerance and their belief in unity in diversity, which reflects the essence of the idea of India.

For meeting the future with confidence and fulfilling the dream of modern India, the youth would have to inculcate in themselves a sense of discipline, an analytical mind and respect for fellow human beings. For this, the institutions we establish must be centres of excellence, imparting knowledge and good values to students. In this context, it is heartening that University of Jammu has today become one of India's leading institutions of higher learning and that it is the first public university in India to be ISO-9001 certified for the quality of its management systems. I know that many of its departments such as the Business School, the School of Biotechnology and the Law School are rated high in the country.

One of the objectives of a University is to impart to the youth the skills and knowledge that give them access to productive employment in the future. Providing employable skills and vocational training is very important. I am pleased to note that this Campus has focused on starting career oriented, professional and technical courses including Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Computer Application (MCA), I hope that under the expansion programme, new teaching programmes in various professional and vocational programmes will be started, and research projects will be initiated that are relevant to the needs of the people of the region.

Women constitute about half the population of our country and unless you give them equal opportunities, the nation would be losing half its potential and half its capacity to grow. We cannot fully develop our nation, without the participation of our women. Education for women is a very important tool for their empowerment. Educated women will contribute to the development of a good family, a compassionate society, a progressive nation and a more tolerant world. Government polices should be programmed taking into consideration issues relating to women. Universities should look at encouraging girls to pursue their studies and I am pleased that at this Campus a special computer learning programme for women will start.

I am confident that the efforts of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the field of higher education will go a long way in providing quality education to the people of the State, and equipping the youth of the State with the competitive advantage needed to meet the challenges of the 21st century knowledge economy. I believe that a University is also an instrument of economic, social and political empowerment and, therefore, the campus will have a great impact on the well being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Higher education must promote knowledge-creation and its application in areas critical to the State of Jammu and Kashmir like agriculture, tourism, horticulture, health care and industry. Universities can and indeed must play an important role in the economic revitalization and the real empowerment of the people.

Investment in education will be important to build a new Jammu and Kashmir, symbolized by peace, prosperity and people's empowerment. Education, good healthcare and employment opportunities will empower the people to become effective in the process of development. People are the greatest strength of any nation. It is their welfare which is of the highest importance. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has been working for bringing about conditions conducive for the socio-economic development of its people by enunciating policies and implementing programmes for the promotion of education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and industry. I would like to compliment the Chief Minister and his colleagues for their commitment and work for the cause of development of the State and the well being of the people of Jammu, of Kashmir and of Ladakh.

In conclusion, I recall the advice of one of the greatest educationist of our times - Dr. Radhakrishnan, the second President of India that, "a University is essentially a community of students and teachers. The two have to work together for the one single purpose of advancing knowledge and disseminating it for the welfare of the society." I wish you success in this mission.

Thank You.

JAI HIND !