- Sets 10-day deadline for Universities to prepare 100-Day Viksit Bharat Roadmap
- Directs universities to involve students, industry experts in innovation and nation-building
- Releases first edition of Lok Bhavan’s magazine
Governor and Chancellor Kavinder Gupta today announced the constitution of the Chancellor’s Inter-University Viksit Bharat-2047 Council/Task Force to bring universities across the state together on a common platform and promote coordinated efforts towards the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
He was presiding over the meeting of Vice-Chancellors of universities in Himachal Pradesh at Lok Bhavan, Shimla today.
The Governor directed universities to prepare a 100-day roadmap within 10 days for promoting innovation and best practices in their respective institutions and share successful initiatives with other universities so that collective efforts could contribute to the development of Himachal Pradesh and the nation.
Kavinder Gupta said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving forward with the resolve of Viksit Bharat@2047. ‘The vision of Viksit Bharat is not confined to economic progress, it is about building an India that leads the world in knowledge, innovation, skills, self-reliance, social harmony and human values,’ he said.
Emphasising the role of youth, the Governor called for their greater participation in the activities of the Council/Task Force. He said that universities should also collaborate with higher educational institutions in neighbouring States to learn from and adopt successful practices.
The Governor said that the council/task force would hold quarterly meetings, with meetings organised on a rotational basis among universities, and stressed that the mechanism should remain action-oriented and be regularly reviewed.
He called upon agricultural and horticulture universities to develop quality nurseries and make improved seeds and medicinal plants available to farmers, linking research with rural livelihoods. He also emphasized student exposure through educational tours, interaction with experts, inter-university sports activities, organised tourism initiatives and practical training in collaboration with industries.
Expressing concern over drug abuse among youth Kavinder Gupta said universities must become active partners in the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign. He called for greater focus on awareness, counselling, sports, fitness, cultural activities and positive youth engagement. He also suggested that a drug-free pledge should be administered across all faculties of universities.
Stressing the need for cooperation along with competition in higher education, the Governor said that if a university has developed an outstanding practice, a new teaching methodology or achieved success in research and innovation, its benefits should reach other universities and students as well. He called for institutionalizing the sharing of best practices, research and innovation, while promoting entrepreneurship, employment-oriented skills and a strong research culture.
The Governor also nominated Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, as the coordinating university for the task force, with the responsibility of facilitating its functioning and inter-university coordination. The initiative seeks to provide a common platform for universities to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation, academic reforms and sharing of best practices, while fostering meaningful coordination among universities, government, industry, experts, students and other stakeholders.
On the occasion, the Governor also released the first edition of Lok Bhavan’s magazine.
Earlier, Secretary to the Governor, Sandeep Bhardwaj welcomed the Governor and Vice-Chancellors and outlined the agenda of the meeting.
Vice-Chancellors made presentations and shared their views on skill development, employment and entrepreneurship, youth health and well-being, Nasha Mukt Bharat, sports and fitness, youth leadership, innovation and research, national development and inter-university collaboration.
Vice-Chancellor Himachal Pradesh University Prof. Mahavir Singh, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Dr. Harminder Singh Bawa, Vice-Chancellor Atal Medical and Research University Dr. D.K. Verma, Vice-Chancellor Sardar Patel University Dr. Lalit Kumar Awasthi and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
