With the Indo-Pak dialogue emphasizing on 'making borders irrelevant,' easing travel control across borders and the decline in militancy, a new stage in the peace process is visible. The establishment of the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) in Rajouri, 154 kilometers from Jammu, adds to the optimism in the air.
Hidden in the hills of Rajouri, the University was established under the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Act of 2002 and is nurtured by the Jammu and Kashmir Wakf Council. Could this University situated on the border district of the state become a means to exchange social and cultural ideas and experiences in the state?
Is it a catalyst for sustainable interaction between students of J&K and PoK? On 15 December 2004, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the then Chief Minister J&K, announced the master plan to construct the University. By August 2005, the University began its first academic session and in September 2006, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief Minister J&K, inaugurated the Staff Quarters and Scholars' home.
The BGSBU has an in-campus healthcare facility, banking and postal services, and a shopping mall for its students and staff. The Placement Cell of the University ensures suitable job options for students based on merit. To ensure that the students are in contact with the rest of the world, the BGSBU has installed two V-SATS for 24-hour internet facility. With a regional office at Srinagar, students in the Valley and rest of India will be able to easily update themselves on the programs, admissions, eligibility requirements and fee structures of the University without visiting the Campus.
The University has six post graduate schools. These include the School of Management Studies, the School of Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (Department of Applied Mathematics, and Department of Computer Science), the School of Islamic Studies, the School of Bio-Sciences and Bio-technology, the School of Healthcare and Pharmacy and the School of Material Sciences and Nano-technology. With these courses, most students of Rajouri and Poonch will not have to travel long distances to study at the Jammu University or the Kashmir University. Moreover, regular bus services operating at nominal charges from Rajouri town to the Campus are an added advantage for students.
The Rajouri district comprises minority populations of Hindus and Sikhs who crossed the border and settled in the hills after 1947-48. To ensure availability of seats to socially disadvantaged persons, the University follows a strict reservation policy. The permanent residents of Rajouri and Poonch have 25 per cent reservation, Scheduled Tribes have 9 percent reservation, Scheduled Castes have 8 per cent reservation, Other Backward areas have 5 percent reservation and the wards of defense service personnel who are permanent residents of J&K and candidates of weak or underprivileged classes are entitled to 2 per cent reservation. Gujjars, a Scheduled tribe in J&K, have occupied all seats reserved for them.
Masud A Choudhary, Vice-Chancellor of the University, is also a Gujjar. His attaining the post of the Vice Chancellor is quite an achievement and sets an example for the youth in the region. Their eagerness to pursue further studies is evident from a fully occupied students' hostel. One of the Professors, a resident of Rajouri was thankful that he did not have to travel a long distance or to another district to teach. The University has a large staff and has provided employment to persons within the district and outside.
Both Manmohan Singh and Pervez Musharraf agree that borders cannot be redrawn and that they should be made irrelevant. In J&K, borders can be 'softened' by cooperation in areas like education and the BGSBU can provide one such opportunity. Firstly, with regular bus services between Poonch-Rawlakot, cross border travel is less cumbersome and post graduate students from PoK can seek admission to desired courses and also apply for hostel accommodation at the University. The University has separate hostels for boys and girls.
Secondly, a system of visiting professors and lecturers from other Universities in India, Pakistan and PoK is also likely to reap good results. Educational institutions in J&K are a boon for encouraging people-to-people contact. In this context, the BGSBU in Rajouri, recognized by the Indian University Grants Commission, is a significant institution. With the BGSBU functioning, Rajouri can no longer be considered a remote area known only for militancy and cut off from the rest of the state or the country. The University can capitalize on the creative potential of youth on both sides of the border.
The writer is Research Officer, IPCS
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