Gujjars demand setting up of tribal university in J-K

To cater to the specific educational needs of tribals in Jammu and Kashmir,a Gujjar organisation on Sunday appealed to the Central government to set up a tribal university in the state.

Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) has sent two separate memorandums to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Human Resources Development Ministry,demanding setting up of a tribal university,a statement said. “We are demanding a tribal university in the state. Two year ago,a delegation of tribal dignitaries from J-K met the Union Minister for Human Resource Development in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum along with other necessary documents but nothing concrete has emerged out of it so far,” TRCF Secretary Javaid Rahi said in the statement.

Rahi also said that there is an urgent need to promote studies and research in tribal art,culture,tradition,language,custom,medical systems,forest based economic activities,including special studies in the flora and fauna and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas of the state.

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“Establishing a tribal university can cater to all these needs,” he said.

Rahi has appealed to J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to press the Union government over the issue,as the establishment of tribal university will cater to the specific educational needs of the tribal and marginalised population of Jammu and Kashmir,Himachal Pradesh and other north western Himalayan states.