It's time for Gurgaon University

  • Barnali Dutta / FG
  • India
  • Jan 30, 2015


Photo: Prakhar Pandey

A stir is briskly developing into a movement. Gurgaonites now want their own University. Yes, this City, which is seen as the young, modern face of Haryana (indeed India), does not have a (State) University of its own. This status has now started affecting the student community at large.
And it is not just the students who are feeling the lacuna. Even educationists have started airing their views strongly at various forums. Ashok Divakar, former Principal of Government Girls College, says, “Rohtak has 6 universities, but there is not one in Gurgaon. There is a legitimate reason for our demand. Most students residing in Gurgaon are from a rural background and there is huge family resistance to their moving out for college education. Distances, coupled with the present unsafe environment, compel many families to dissuade their children, especially girls, from seeking admission in outside colleges. Operationally, college students are forced to travel long distances to find solutions to their problems,” he adds. There are other valid reasons as well. One of the most significant, which was tragically evident in recent days, has been the poor and apathetic administration at MDU (University), Rohtak - to which Gurgaon colleges are affiliated. Their marking system controversy had recently led to the death of a local student, Pinky. There also seems to be a perceptible caste bias in its dealings. In the absence of a university, the student population in Gurgaon suffers from a lack of opportunities as well. “Professional courses, which are a must for our career development, are hardly offered in colleges that are affiliated to either MDU or other universities outside the region,” says Neha Yadav, a final year B. Sc. student. This impacts their prospects for a better future.

The students are growing restless. They no longer wish to suffering in silence. They are beginning to protest through different forums. Apart from increasingly giving vent to their ire through social media, the students have also started procuring the (physical) signatures of their dissenting fraternity. Says Manisha Balwar, a final year B.Sc. student at Sector 14, ”We have already collected over a thousand signatures in support of our demand for a full-fledged university in Gurgaon.” The signatures have been submitted to the Chief Minister, with a copy to the office of the DC in Gurgaon. The biggest irony, according to these students, is that whereas private universities are allowed to proliferate in Gurgaon, the State is yet to even contemplate the setting up of one. A local University would accord the students better recognition and opportunity, and enable them to then better compete nationally. “If private colleges, with far fewer students, can be allowed to set up their own universities here, then why can’t the  govt. colleges have one too?” questions Manisha. A local university will immediately help boost the number of students seeking to join local colleges, and will also help assuage their frustration, which has increased manyfold in the aftermath of the Pinky Chauhan tragedy. “We surely cannot shut our eyes to such dark and fearful reality, can we?” asks Manisha. In sheer frustration and anguish, Pinky had self-immolated in broad daylight, in front of hundreds of people (FG had carried her story). She has compelled many to question the credibility of universities such as MDU. There is clearly an urgent need to review the infrastructure and staffing at MDU, apart from its conduct. The biggest tragedy of course is that the quality of education is getting seriously impacted, feel students. Indu Jain, Principal of the Girls Government College where the dissent among the students has surfaced, leading to the signature campaign, says, “This is an initiative of the students. We are, however, remaining vigilant, to ensure that no untoward incidents take place. We do not want the students to be seen as doing something wrong. The demand for a university is not illogical; they have a reason to voice such a demand.” She is quick to clarify that the college administration has no role in the signature campaign. Satish Judal, ABVP Haryana State Secretary, says, “I am a part of this campaign and we are trying our best to form a university in Gurgaon. We want to name it Swami Vivekananda University. I believe the faculty should be honest and more authentic and qualified than at MDU.” He says that the Education department of Haryana needs to develop such an institution, given the fact that Gurgaon is also a corporate and IT hub. He however laments that there are not many ‘Haryanvis’ in that corporate/IT set up. He believes that a professional and competitive environment is needed, along with adequate institutional support, to equip the locals with the necessary expertise. They will then be able to partake their rightful local opportunity on merit. T.L. Satyaprakash, DC, Gurgaon, sounds hopeful. “Our political bosses are working on this issue, though at present we don’t have enough funds to execute our plans,” he says. “We need people to be patient. The Prime Minister himself is very sensitive to the needs of the student community, and the need for evolution in the education system,” he concludes.

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