Launches college website, felicitates veterans of 1971 War

KARGIL, NOVEMBER 07, 2021: Lieutenant Governor Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects at Government Model Degree College (GMDC) Padum Zanskar here today.

The LG was accompanied by the Member Parliament Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Executive Councilor for Zanskar Affairs Er Punchok Tashi, Vice Chancellor University of Ladakh Professor S K Mehta, Councilors of LAHDC Kargil, Sub Divisional Magistrate Zanskar Sonam Dorjay,  Principal GMDC Zanskar Nassir Shabani besides other concerned officers.

The LG inaugurated the 915 Meter Link Road to GMDC Zanskar and the Administrative Block of the college completed at cost of Rs 1.50 crores under District Capex Budget and Rs 10.48 crores under Central Sponsored Scheme respectively. He also laid the foundation stone of the Passive Solar Indoor Stadium cum Multipurpose Hall, Passive Solar 50 Bedded Girls and Boys Hostels, Passive Solar Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Staff Quarters, Science Laboratory Block and Landscaping and Beautification Works of the college campus at a total cost of Rs 32 crores under the Special Development Package (SDP).

The LG also launched the college website on the occasion, went round different sections of the college including the Academic and Administrative Block, Science Laboratory, Library and the classrooms and expressed satisfaction over the facilities available in the college. He interacted with the faculty members and students and urged them to take maximum benefits of the available resources including the high tech science and sports equipments and other available facilities. 

Speaking during a function held in the college campus, LG Mathur said that the UT Administration is keen to develop GMDC Zanskar as an intellectual centre and the inauguration and foundation stone laying of the projects is testimony of the seriousness of the Government of India and the University of Ladakh to enhance the level of higher education in Zanskar. He also suggested that such subjects need to be introduced in the college which are Ladakh and Zanskar specific like Tourism, Entrepreneurship in Primary Sectors like Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture and enable students to work for its progress and development.

With regard to the proposal for setting up of Tribal Centre and Skill Centre in the college, the LG said that the proposal will be considered and requested the VC UoL to examine.He also highlighted the need to install a dedicated V Sat of higher band width in the college and linking the college library to the National Knowledge Network so that students can access innumerable books and research papers online.

While hailing the efforts of the Principal GMDC Zanskar in taking the college to a new level, LG Mathur said while issues related to infrastructural requirements and faculty have been addressed to a great extent, concerted efforts should be made to enhance the enrolment of students so that they do not need to go for studies outside. He said that under the New Education Policy, faculty and student exchange programmes will be introduced through which students from Zanskar and other colleges of UT Ladakh will be given opportunities to study semesters in colleges outside while faculty from ITIs, industry and other sectors and students from outside can extend their services and study semesters at colleges in Ladakh.

Making mention of the steps being taken by the government for the development of Zanskar, the LG Ladakh said that collective efforts are being made by the UT Administration Ladakh, MP Ladakh and the LAHDC Kargil to ensure overall development of the region including the establishment of 5MW Solar Power Station, construction of airstrip, construction of the Kargil-Zanskar Road, works of NPD Road, Shinkunla Tunnel, transmission line to connect to the National Grid, development of tourism assets, homestay and other related measures to address the development deficit of the last 70 years.

MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in his address hailed  the efforts of the LG Ladakh saying that under his able leadership Ladakh has made tremendous strides in different sectors.

The MP Ladakh expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing liberal funds for the development of Ladakh UT. He stated that while the Kargil Zanskar Road NH-301 is being developed on fast track basis and is expected to be blacktopped next year, steps are underway for  the construction of tunnel at Shinkunla to provide round the year connectivity of Zanskar with Himachal Pradesh. 

Executive Councilor for Zanskar Affairs Er Phunsok Tashi while speaking on the occasion termed the inauguration and foundation stone of the projects at GMDC Zanskar a historic event for Zanskar. He said that the college has made tremendous progress in the last 3 years especially after the formation of UT.

The EC Zanskar Affairs said that the LAHDC Kargil is committed towards the development of GMDC Zanskar and 100 kanals land will be alloted to the college while more funding will be also be made from the District Capex Budget.

The LG Ladakh also felicitated the war veterans from Zanskar recognizing their services in the 1971 War as part of its golden jubilee year of victory.

Later, LG Mathur met a number of public delegations at Tourist Reception Centre Padum to know about their  grievances, issues and developmental needs.The LG gave a patient hearing to each delegation and assured them of suitable follow up measures to address their issues.