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| CM asks KU students to join him in war against corruption | | |
Srinagar, July 4, 2007 - Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today made a fervent appeal to student community to lend their helping hand in his effort to rid the state of corruption, saying its eradication should not be his agenda only.
“I am not here to do politics. My mission is a corruption free and developed Jammu & Kashmir and I call upon you to support my efforts”, Azad told the audience in the jam packed newly constructed Convocation Complex at University of Kashmir, thrown open by Governor, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) S. K. Sinha and himself today.
Begum Shamim Azad, former Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, senior officers, university faculty, prominent citizens and students of the university were present at the inaugural function.
Azad, the only alumni of Kashmir University to have reached the highest executive position in the State, said the institution had taught him the noble lesson of speaking truth even in adverse situations. He said during his three decade long career in active politics at national level he did not let himself be swayed by the temptations of power and stuck to his principles.
“From the podium of this University where I spent five years as a student and learnt the lessons that have guided me ever since, I want that the students of my alma mater join me in my fight against corruption and establishing a new work culture in all spheres of administration”, the Chief Minister said while becoming nostalgic about his days in the University.
The Chief Minister said that his war against corruption was not an easy one as it cut at the very roots of an age old practice that people were not easily ready to give up. He said that his only worry was that the whopping amount of money received from the Centre for various development projects may not be utilized in full for the simple reason that there were some people who wanted to spend it their own way. He said he would rather let that happen than allow them to have their way. “Let it not be my war alone. Let all of you join me in this crusade”, he urged the audience.
Azad said during his maiden press conference after he took oath as Chief Minister, he made it clear that he had not come here to do politics. He said ever since, his consistent effort had been to ensure maximum flow of funds for development projects in the State. For the first time in the history of the State, he said, Rs. 5000 crore were received from the Centre in 18 months, over and above the annual State Budget. This was a golden opportunity which would not knock at our doors very often, he said adding we must make the best of it. He said it would be most unfortunate for the people of the State if we were not able to spend this money. He said while the Central Government had been liberal in providing funds, it was the responsibility of the State officers to spend it in time and at the right place. He said earlier the state Government had to go to Delhi to get a project sanctioned but his personal contacts and relation with the Union Council of Ministers had made it possible to have the ministers come here and announce project after project. He called upon the state administration to make full use of this opportunity and let the projects be initiated and completed in time.
Amid applause from the audience, Chief Minister announced that he would provide funds for air conditioning of the Convocation Complex. He highlighted the need for faculty and student exchange programmes and academic collaboration with other universities, research on subjects directly connected with the economy and development of the State and diversification of education so that the pass outs were not dependent on government jobs.
The Chief Minister recounted with fond memory the days he had spent in the university as a student and recognized many faces in the audience. He recalled that long ago during an election campaign in Gujarat, an old man had recited some couplets which he remembered even today. He concluded his speech by dedicating the couplets to the students of the University:
Na jaane kab se tum ko manzilien awaaz deti hain
Jo rehbar sogaye sonay do yaro tum na sojaana
Musalsal koshishoon sey hi milay gi zindagi tumko
Muqaddar ki tarah qismat ke maro tum na sojaana
Chhupe baithay hain gulshan mai baharain lootnay waalay
Kali ki aankh lag jaaye to khaarotum na sojaana
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