Varsities should expand their horizon of vision, work for society too, feel top academicians
| Date :12-Oct-2020 |
By Vikas Vaidya :
Universities are there to impart education. But is it the only work that universities are expected to do? Can universities take responsibility of conserving heritage monuments, can they help authorities in rejuvenating the lakes, can they make people know history of their places. With these questions ‘The Hitavada’ approached two Vice-Chancellors of the universities who responded in a positive manner. In fact they have taken some initiatives in that regard. Many universities are trying to do novel things in their own areas. Dr Murlidhar Chandekar, Vice-Chancellor of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University has already submitted a plan for the conservation of heritage monument and lakes.
He had submitted on proposal with Higher and Technical Education Department of setting up a museum where the history of that region, information of saints will be on display. For this museum he received 10-acre land sanctioned. Similarly, Dr Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor of Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University (KKSU) too has taken the initiative to conserve Kalidas Smarak which according to him remained neglected by Municipal Council. ‘The Hitavada’ through its ‘Footloose’ column has given a call to the university bosses if they would come forward and take up this responsibility to which the Vice-Chancellors responded in a positive manner. Some of them are already doing it while others are planning to do.
Dr Chandekar said, “We have submitted a proposal for developing heritage museum for which we have asked for 15-acre land. On that land a museum would be set up which would tell the history of West Vidarbha. This part of Vidarbha has several things to conserve. We have birthplace of Sant Gadge Baba, We have Kaundinyapur, we have Gurukunj Mozri, we have Shegaon, we have a temple which was built 500 years ago. Many people are not aware of one unique thing-- Washim had Zero mile, there is a history that tells details about it. We have prepared a list of every minute details which will be on display in that museum. All will be under one roof. We have to keep the history alive.”
During his tenure as acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Dr Chandekar had visited the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology and suggested the Head to develop museum there. SGAU has Model Degree College at Buldhana where Dr Chandekar is planning to start a course -- Bachlor Degree in Heritage Management. The course is being designed on the lines of Heritage Management Institute at Lucknow. If the degree course started the whole Vidarbha can develop tourism economy through it, feels Dr Chandekar. “I am always of the opinion that universities must look after the civic issues also. We at SGAU are doing several such works that would help civic society. Apart from taking care of examinations, syllabus and all, universities should expand their horizon and look beyond it,” Dr Chandekar commented.