EXTENDS SUPPORT TO STUDENTS’ MOVEMENT
GANGTOK, 21 May: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has extended its support to the student agitation against the Vice Chancellor Professor Mahendra P Lama, holding up their demand to include various subjects at post graduate level beginning this academic session as “genuine”.
Press Advisor to the Chief Minister, former MP, Bhim Dahal, today admitted it was a mistake to have recommended Prof Lama as the Vice Chancellor for Sikkim University back in the year 2007. Mr. Dahal said that at that time, the State Government believed that a person from the hills with knowledge of the outside world would do well and work in the interest of Sikkim’s students. “Prof. Lama could have done so, but his priorities have been counterproductive,” he said.
“We regret recommending Prof Lama,” said Mr Dahal adding that “we all had rejoiced on his selection but now we are in remorse”.
He announced that SDF extends solidarity and support to Students Union of Sikkim (SUS) and students who have been protesting against the Sikkim University and the Vice Chancellor to press their eight-point charter of demands.
At the same time, he denied that the ruling party had any hand in instigating the students against the Vice Chancellor and Sikkim University. It is a student’s organization which has been functioning independently and protesting democratically, he said.
“Prof. Lama’s ego does not allow him to listen to his students. It has always been a hurdle between the students and their demands. How can we expect a rigid person like him to be sensible towards students’ demands?” commented Mr. Dahal.
The Vice Chancellor must fulfill their demands, he said adding that “those who oppose the students’ movement are adversaries to Sikkim’s future and we call them anti-Sikkimese”.
He informed that two MPs from Sikkim have already submitted representations to the Ministry of Human Resource Development demanding Prof Lama’s removal as early as possible by another VC who will work in the interests of the students and University in Sikkim.
He further said that the state government has been demanding Prof. Lama’s removal since July last year but he lingered on and created more problems for the students.
Responding to media queries on recommendations for the next Vice Chancellor, Mr Dahal said that the next Vice Chancellor should be a person of sound academic background with a zeal for ‘working in the interests of Sikkim and students’.
Not a single inch of land will be given without solving the resettlement issue, he said on the still pending handing over of the land for the SU campus in Yangang.
Yah lets wait for the next incumbent, Lama's term is in any case getting over soon right!!! and see if the new man toes the government line!
ReplyDeleteMr Dahal wants to inform us that it was only because of their recommendation the preseent incumbent was installed. what buckwas!!! there has to be some amount of merit in the person for the visitor of the univ to have agreed to it!!! and isn't it sad that till all was honky dory btw his boss and the boss of SU everything was fine....no one found fault, but the min the relations turned sour ..the land for SU and promises of help all went down the chha mile jhora!!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of merit is very subjective as MPL himself goes about in his running of the University.
ReplyDeleteState patronage has made a number of people meritorious, who would otherwise have been writing pamphlets for SDF, GJM etc.
And the role of the state government is very important in lobbying for the VC. It is not an official role, but it is the most crucial variable in some circumstances.
I mean is anyone surprised that Lama was appointed VC in SU?
If he was so meritorious, why wasnt he appointed VC in NEHU? DU? JNU?
Lobbying is really important for any post in a govt institution in India....take the example of SU itself and lets count heads of people who are there with out having lobbied- the top most post included!!! But the saddest thing is that the Govt brought in their Central Univ then their VC and till all was "daju-bhai" btw them, SU got support thereby the VC too- but the min things soured then they pulled the rug from under his feet - but no one seems to realise that in the process a central institution is being turned into a joke!!!!! and yeah lets watch to see what MPL does after his stint here.....must have garnered enuff contacts waving the flag of SU!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen offices are so personalised as CM and MPL's, then the joke will be on the institution.
ReplyDeleteMPL believes the University is his 'ancestral property' as a pamphlet of University students described him. And these are students studying in the PG departments, not your college students.