Lieutenant Governor, Radha Krishna Mathur inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects at Government Model Degree College (GMDC) Padum Zanskar on November 7.

MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; EC Zanskar Affairs,  Er Punchok Tashi; Vice-Chancellor University of Ladakh, Professor S K Mehta; Councilors of LAHDC Kargil, SDM Zanskar, Sonam Dorjay;  Principal GMDC Zanskar Nassir Shabani besides other concerned officers were also present.

RK Mathur inaugurated the 915-meter link road to GMDC Zanskar and the Administrative Block of the college completed at 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 around 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 equipment and other available facilities.

Speaking during a function held on 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 a 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.

Concerning 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 bandwidth 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 the overall development of the region including the establishment of 5MW Solar Power Station, construction of an 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 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 a fast track basis and is expected to be blacktopped next year, steps are underway for the construction of a 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. He said that the LAHDC Kargil is committed to the development of GMDC Zanskar and 100 kanals land will be allotted 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.