Trust in talent of J&K universities |
At the 21st convocation of Kashmir University on February 26, freshets of hope and promise flowed in refreshing tones; youth were urged to work for pace and nation-building. All of them- Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah – called for renewed efforts in fostering peace in the region. This was an expression of the trust in the talent of students of J&K’s universities. Though the message was delivered on the campus of Kashmir university, but it acknowledged excellence of all universities in the territory.
Perfect peace in J&K is a national goal, given the history of the place and the way it has been criss-crossing the fault lines, eventually landing on a firm ground of normalcy. This has given rise to new aspirations and the youth are looking for new inspiration as their aspirations are sky high. The youth in the place, especially in the universities, can be leaders in devising strategies for nation-building which is not confined to the nation state, but granting an international standing in this era of science and technology. The current situation across the world makes this so crucial and important. This also was a challenge thrown at them to rise to the task to seek innovative ways in peace-building then taking this off to the global heights. It is neither rhetoric nor political symbolism, it is the reality of times.
All of them carried unique credentials to make this appeal which can transform the very landscape of J&K and help the young students to define nation-building strategies. Vice President Radhakrishnan, because of his qualifications and vast political experience, was uniquely placed to define new era of peace in J&K and its consolidation. LG Manoj Sinha’s tryst with Kashmir began in the most difficult times – J&K was struggling to overcome the widespread effects of Covid-19 and also fighting militancy has given him deep insight. Omar Abdullah is the face of unparalleled and most credible Assembly elections ever held in J&K. In short, he carries with him, democratic ideas and credentials mandated by the people.
Kashmir University was the most appropriate forum for highlighting the need for peace in the Valley. Peace is necessity for all the places in all eras. Kashmir needs it more than other places in the country. The images of the conflict of decades continue to sit in the subconscious mind, but the good thing is that opportunities are growing. I was wondering whether there is a formula to acquire peace and deliver its dividends via the University Campus. The answer is yes. But laboratory of conflict resolution needs equipment and patience to understand the dynamics of peace.
In fact, the universities in Jammu and Kashmir, can define and redefine the national strategies, and there can be no better place than the campuses here. As they say, changes in the past few years have offered opportunities to the youth to dignify themselves with new identity. It is not a metaphor drawn from some fiction, but a reality.
The new identity signifies that how the youth have evolved in the years in question. They got the chance to show themselves in bright light only when the atmospherics improved. There was division and disruption of minds with a dilemma griping them – how to move ahead with the plans to study and devise new strategies when the disruptions on streets took toll on their attention and capabilities to think straight. Times have changed, so must the thinking and studies.
It is time to come out of the straitjacket of old and orthodox syllabi. The universities should be the places to experiment with the freedom to learn and research, to make their story count in the national strategies. Educational freedom, like liberty itself, is not a new or radical idea. The fact, however, remains that this freedom was subverted by the situations inflicted on the landscape. The irony was that the restrictions on thinking and innovation could not be blamed where the blame lay.
The very essence of the message of peace was not a rhetoric of exhortation, urging the youth to look at their future away from the past of conflict, but to generate ideas how this objective could be achieved for the whole of the nation. This was an expression of the understanding that J&K sits at the intersection of so many geographies and demographics , and as such is uniquely qualified to define the national strategies. The geo-politics is an asset with J&K Universities. It should be seen in that context only. This should not be used as a gatekeeper to keep innovation and strategic communication for the universities and young researchers. The bigger goals of national ends must be thought of and encouraged. The research and higher education need to intersect with geopolitics.
Jammu University’s “Design Your Degree” programme liberated studies from the old school pf thought. It has given new direction and inspired youth and others to learn and experiment. There are no restrictions on thinking. It has opened new doors to those who want to learn and experiment. It can, and should become basis for extensive research. This, essentially, throws a whole world of opportunities before the aspirants, where they can learn art of exploring new ideas within self-acquired discipline. This is a unique way of doing things. It, however, needs widespread endorsement to popularize it. Kashmir University not only endorsed but also joined the programme in a big way. This kind of synergy and learning from each other can advance new ideas.
To achieve this objective, it is important that the political leadership goes out of its way to induce substantial expansion of investment in research to develop scientific temperament in dealing with the issues of the present and future. For a place grappling with multiple political, social and economic issues and facing competition all across, the frontiers of knowledge and talent should be set as a centrepiece to the nation-building strategy.