Chandigarh: 31 May :Teachers and research scholars from two departments, Political Science and Education today, on the 55th day of the chain fast, sat on the fast.
From the department of Political Science Dr. Ashutosh Kumar, along with research scholars Sunil Kundu and Rajnish Saryal sat on the fast whereas from the department of Education, Dr H.S. Bajwa and Dr Kirandeep were accompanied by two research scholars, Abha Sharma and Pratibha Sharma for the fast.
Sharing his woes with the media Dr Ashutosh Kumar, former Chairperson, department of Political Science, disclosed that the financial crunch of the University is jeopardizing many of the serious research projects in the department. For instance, a proposal of cross border study, involving both east and west Punjab and J&K, is struck at the moment for want of funding. Books bought during the last financial year are lying scattered on the floor of the departmental library, as there is no fund for the purchase of shelves to display them.
A large number of brilliant students from the social sciences in general, and political science in particular, decide to desert PU for the post-Master studies as the central universities are offering Rs. 3 to 5 thousand worth of fellowship to each and every Scholar, said Dr Kumar. Substantiating further Rajnish Saryal, research scholar from the department of Political Science gave a detailed account of his other class fellows who quit P.U. for their M.Phil/ PhD and joined JNU, New Delhi, which is a central university. Expressing worry on the future of higher education in Chandigarh, Pratibha Sharma, another research scholar from the department of Education, said that once the proposed central university in Panchkula, (Haryana) becomes a reality, it is going to pose a serious challenge of ‘brain drain’ to P.U.
Dr Kirandeep, Department of Education claimed that the department has produced renowned education experts such as Prof. B.K Passi, former Vice Chairman, National Council of Teachers Education, and Prof. J.N. Joshi, Prof. Emeritus who is presently director educational development in IDC, Chandigarh. However, it is becoming an uphill task to groom new serious research scholars for want of appropriate facilities, as PU does not have sufficient funds for the same.