ANCOL - Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas!
ANCOL – Will it be Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,
well the developments so far indicate No it’s Not!
Never
before in the history of Independent India has anyone given such a resounding
and mature message of Unity with Inclusion unlike Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi did when he said : The only code of conduct of the Government should be
“Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” [Collective efforts inclusive growth]. The paradigm reverberated in the
Honble LG’s address delivered on June 18, 2014 during laying the foundation for
a Multipurpose Indoor Stadium at Knappuram village in Wimberly Gunj.
Reiterating his commitment of commencing a new college from the academic
session (2014-15), the LG said demand to establish Andaman College (ANCOL) in
Bambooflat/Wimberly Gunj area is genuine as it will benefit many rural students. He did keep his commitment. Two schools namely : Govt Secondary Senior School
(GSSS) Haddo Hindi Medium and GSS Haddo English Medium has been elbowed out/merged
with a third school and ANCOL installed in its place on July 26, 2014 by borrowing
a school building, a few teachers and a Principal from various schools and institutions
and set the ball rolling for ANCOL. But whet ever happened next is a clear
departure from the paradigm for governance.
A press release carried in the state media said the permanent campus of ANCOL will come up at Chakkargaon. Another release said for identifying a suitable site for the permanent campus of the
Finding the decision in
contrast, the lone Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray publicly
objected and distanced himself from the decision. Similar views of dissent have
been put forth by Chairperson Zilla Parishad (SA), Miss V K Mariam Bibi and the State President BJP Shri Vishal Jolly. Though rarely seen, elected representatives and their political
affiliates, cutting across party lines unequivocally urged the Administration to review its decision and
consider Ferrar Gunj tahsil as the site for permanent campus for the proposed
ANCOL.
Sidelining
the requests from public and their elected representatives, a decision is known
to have been taken to set-up ANCOL near Port Blair which already has three
degree level colleges (JNRM, TGCE & DBRAIT). We have been given to
understand that at a brainstorming session, majority voiced in favour of
Chakkargaon for ANCOL.
How far the effort was transparent or for that matter, the outcome trust
worthy, could be judged from the fact that the all important session has been
conducted on the day cyclone Hudhud threw life out of gear for the
islands. The day was declared a holiday for educational institutions since public
transport including ferry services was suspended/cancelled due to safety
concerns. Consequently those students hailing from rural areas who could have
opined Bambooflat, Ferrar Gunj, Tusonabad or some rural area got selectively excluded
from the whole exercise.
The
bid to rope in students in decision making is welcome, but students are
students. If someone from Mayabunder is given a choice, he would opine that the
college be situated in the city, may be near Marina Park so that they could spend
their spare time chirping with birds under the shade of Casuarina. A patient waiting in que
for his turn at a hospital in Rangat, if given a choice will opt to be treated
at GB Pant Port Blair. An officer waiting for allotment of residential
accommodation would opt Goal Ghar over Chakkargaon. Someone in the social media
said, if given an option he would like to see it (ANCOL) at Ghanta Ghar. Jokes
apart, it is for sure after ANCOL, the next few generations will not see
another college coming up. Therefore such important decision cannot and should
not be left to what a particular group says or thinks.
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The decision to set up another college is going to have its impact on the entire Andaman and
The post was carried in the Port Blair Edition of Echo of India dated 10/10/2014 and in Andaman Chronicle dated 10/10/2014
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