Srinagar, Sep 27: President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday acknowledged Jammu and Kashmir has grievances with New Delhi and there are important issues that need quick handling and speedy resolution.
“I am aware that there are grievances,” said Mukherjee during his address on the 18th convocation of Kashmir University here. “Many important issues need deft handling and speedy resolution.”
Mukherjee said Government of India and the State Government were determined and duty-bound to ensure that every Kashmiri lives with dignity having equal rights and equal opportunities. The President said violence aggravates problems and underlined the healing process needs to be nurtured with love, compassion and patience.
“No problems are ever resolved by violence. It only aggravates the pain and the hurt on every side,” he said. “I would also like to take this opportunity, while I am among the bright young people here today, to highlight the relevance and the urgent need for greater tolerance in our society.”
Reaching out to Kashmiri youth, the President asked them to take lead in building the future of India.
“This India of tomorrow, achieved through inclusive growth, offers enormous opportunities for Kashmiri youth if they only seize them,” Mukherjee said. “The contributions of young Kashmiris are critical for India’s advancement to progress.”
“Let Jammu and Kashmir set an example to rest of India and world by showing how the entire region can be transformed into a zone of peace, stability and prosperity,” Mukherjee said. “Let dark days of violence and conflict be left behind and let a new dawn emerge. I am deeply conscious of the great standing of Kashmir as the Sharda Peeth - the Seat of Learning - in ancient times.”
Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Vice-Chancellor KU Talat Ahmed, Higher Education Minister Abdul Gani Malik, parliamentarians, state legislators and ministers were among the dignitaries present on the occasion. The Kashmir University was turned into a garrison with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF to ensure calm.
While all the departments were closed, students putting up in varsity hostels were put under siege till the function was over.
Policemen in civvies were seated inside the convocation hall among students to ensure there was no disruption.
Wishing the students, Mukherjee said institutions of higher education with their emphasis on sound value systems could play an effective role in developing a greater sense of responsibility.
The University, with 13 faculties in 38 teaching departments and 15 research and extension centers, offers about 150 academic programs.
“It (Kashmir University) has come a long way from its modest start in 1948,” Mukherjee said.
He called upon state authorities to play a role for conservation of the environment and to evolve an academic curriculum and research to address the challenges.
“A lot needs to be done,” he said.

GOVERNOR SPEAKS:
Governor NN Vohra expressed concern about less Gross Enrollment Ratio in J&K, terming it a “problem”.
“It is only 18 percent but encouraging sign is that 50 percent of these figures are girls,” he said.
He asked government to work in this direction to better the scenario.
Vohra said though Kashmir University had a glorious past, however due to the situation in the past it suffered on several fronts.
“Many of its faculty left to outside state,” he said. “There are other problems too.”
Referring to the University of Kashmir which has been accredited as a Grade A University by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Vohra emphasized the need for working to ensure that at least 80 percent of all the institutions of higher learning secure A Grade categorization.

OMAR SPEAKS:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked the passed out students to enhance their capacities as young leaders to improve and better the human condition.
“Let you not waiver nor develop cold feet against the challenges you will face,” Omar said. “It is only those who confront destiny and nature that shape destiny and let you be amongst those.”
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof Talat Ahmad presented the University Report and gave resume of the academic, research and extra-curricular activities of the University. He said during the last three years, 235 and 405 students completed their Ph. Ds and M. Phils respectively.
The proceedings were conducted by Registrar KU, Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST