VISIT OF SHRI AJAY MAKEN, HON’BLE MINISTER

FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

LNUPE fraternity extended a very warm welcome to Shri Ajay Maken, Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of India at the University campus on April 27, 2011. In his first visit to LNUPE, the Hon’ble Minister met the faculty, administrative staff and the students during his day’s visit. His visit consisted:

1.       Inauguration of newly constructed ‘Administrative Block’ of the University.

2.       Visiting various Departments of the University and observe available facilities.

3.       Meeting and interacting with students in Rabindrnath Tagore Auditorium.

4.       Meeting and interacting with Vice Chancellor Maj. Gen. Sarbjit Singh Pawar,   

          Faculty Members and Administrative Staff.

“We appreciate the Minister for finding time to visit LNUPE so early after his appointment as Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports. We are pleased that he was able to meet students and faculty, answer their questions and hear their points of view”, said the Vice Chancellor Maj. Gen. Sarbjit Singh Pawar.

Shri Ajay Makan also conversed with journalists at tea. He told them about the priorities and work-plan of the Sports Ministry. On the proposed Sports Development Bill he said that the Bill is relevant in the present day conditions. Subjects like transparency and nullification of politics in Sports Federations, protection of Sportsmen’s interests and appointment of Ombudsman for the redressal of complaints related to sports, etc. will be addressed by this Bill which will also cover the Minister and Bureaucrats under its purview. He emphasized the need for a strong monitoring system in Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) and assured that a plan has been prepared for the purpose. Underlining the importance of LNUPE, he said that it is worthy as PYKKA Resource Centre and it has the potential to standardize the quality of curricula for the whole nation. The starting of new campus in Guwahati is the extension of its potential. This will also expedite the opening of another centre of LNUPE in Southern region of the country.

A dialogue with students was organized in Tagore Auditorium. The Vice Chancellor, Maj. Gen. Sarbjit Singh Pawar extended a very warm Welcome to the Hon’ble Minister. On this occasion the Vice Chancellor said that the young Minister’s visionary attitude and dynamism was very inspiring. Shri Maken thanked the Vice Chancellor for inviting him to the University. He found the environment at LNUPE as very pleasant, cordial and highly academic in nature. Academic commitment of faculty members shall enhance the level of quality education. He emphasized that with changing times the purpose and the number of courses should be increased. LNUPE should be developed as ‘Coach Factory’. He declared that the field of Physical Education and Sports in a very safe career zone. A big number of Physical Education Teachers were required according to the new norms of CBSE. Institutions like LNUPE should take lead in filling-up this gap. Though, the University status of LNUPE was under revision in UGC, but he would recommends UGC to let LNUPE remain as a University.

In the afternoon, the Minister addressed the faculty members and the administrative staff. He appreciated the efforts of faculty members and asked for their suggestions to improve the educational environment. Faculty members put several suggestions before the Minister. Professor Ramesh Pal said that we are presently dependent on foreign Coaches. We also do not have high quality infrastructure and facilities. So, LNUPE should be developed as centre of Excellence in the field of Coaching and Training like NSNIS. Shri Maken was convinced with the suggestion. He said that both LNUPE and NSNIS should make Physical Education and Sports Coaching the base of their curricula so that there would a healthy competition between them. He stated that LNUPE was in better position because it could award degrees due to its University status but, NSNIS was dependent on other University for this purpose. Professor  A. S. Sajwan suggested that more regional centres of LNUPE should be opened, especially in developing states like Uttrakhand. He informed that an affirmative nod had already been received from Uttrakhand Government. Shri Maken said that we should sincerely think of opening a Centre in South Zone first. Positive sign from Uttrakhand government is encouraging but Jharkhand and Orissa would be better options because of climatic conditions. Even Bihar and Western India should be pursued for the same. Associate Professor Jayshree Acharya said that research grants should be allocated to enhance the research aptitude of faculty members. Shri Maken appreciated the suggestion and said that he would take imitative in this direction.