Rs 25 lakh per year for Sikkim Studies at JMI!

New Delhi, April 27 -- The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, will be supporting the newly-launched Sikkim studies programme at Jamia Millia Islamia.

The money, Rs 25 lakh, will be given for three consecutive years by the government to the University. Chamling launched the programme on Monday, April 25, at Jamia and also spoke on Regional parties and their efficacy in advancing nation building.

The programme will be part of the Centre for North East Studies at Jamia. Welcoming the proposal of the state government of Sikkim to support the programme, vice chancellor Najeeb Jung said, "Sikkim studies programme is indeed a welcome addition to the North East studies programme at Jamia. It has been our endeavour to strengthen our understanding of the North East and with the inclusion of the Sikkim studies programme, I am sure our understanding of the political, social and cultural issues related to the region, will get deepened."

The areas of focus proposed under the Sikkim studies programme include: Green governance (including climate change and its impact); critical issues before small states; social stress and coping mechanisms; borders and international trade and the look east policy as well as governance, security and development.

Prof Sanjoy Hazarika, director of the North East Centre, said that the new Sikkim studies programme will go on to highlight the issues which Sikkim is facing in a rigorous and structured manner, through scholarship and research. The North East Studies Centre at Jamia seeks to play the role of a leading research and documentation centre (Library) for the region and as a ‘think tank' for the academic community, scholars and policy makers on the key issues before the North East region.

 

Source: HT Horizons

Date: 28th April 2011