PD Rai seeks IIT and IIM for Sikkim, suggests separate Ministry for Indian Himalaya

GANGTOK, 12 June: Participating today in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address to Parliament, Lok Sabha MP PD Rai welcomed the centre’s intention to open IITs and IIMs in all the states and reiterated the demand for these institutions to be established in Sikkim as well. Mr. Rai, a press release adds, also expressed hope that a separate Ministry is carved out specifically for the Indian Himalayan Region.

Mr. Rai, who is an alumnus, probably the only one in Parliament, from both IIT and IIM, further said: “In a country as large as ours, as young as ours, there is an ever growing pool of aspirants. An IIT and IIM in each state will increase much needed access to these institutions. I think I can vouch that these institutions do give a much better chance of success in one’s life and help in contributing to the onerous task of nation building”.

On the need for a separate Ministry for the Himalayas, Mr. Rai said, “The proposed National Mission on Himalayas and the Central University on Himalayan Studies, though welcome steps, do not reflect sufficient appreciation for the fact that the Indian Himalayan Region has special needs and unique challenges. It needs a special Ministry altogether”.

He also rued that the President’s address did not mention how the Government planned to eliminate racism against people from the Northeast.

He also commended the government on its “RUrban” programme of bringing urban facilities to rural areas an compared it to how the SDF president, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, has also made headway in his regard, the release concludes.