Governor P Sathasivam decries campus violence

Kottayam: Governor P. Sathasivam has called for steps to end the violence linked to student politics. Political parties and other outfits were ‘exploiting’ the youthful vigour of students for ‘undesirable activities’ on campuses in the state, he said and added that there was no place for violence in a democracy.

Inaugurating the convergence academia complex and the 30th anniversary of the total literacy drive at the MG University assembly hall here on Monday, he noted that students were the major stakeholders in any university. It was their academic and co-academic excellence that reflects in the success of every institution.
“Unfortunately, some of our campuses have become places for political and non-educational activities,” he said.

“The malpractices in examinations committed under the cover of student politics showed the inefficiency of those who manage our institutions. Those who support party politics on campuses often swear by democratic functioning.  But where is the place for terror, violence and utter disregard for the law in a democracy?” he asked.

The floods and the landslides must make our universities and experts think seriously about providing inputs to people about how to prevent such disasters, he said.

“Each university should identify the ecologically sensitive areas around it and convince society about the dangers of construction in such places. I would also suggest a campus-level campaign to convince farmers about the seasonal crops suitable and unsuitable for each region. It is through such steps that we move closer to the civil society which has invested its resources to educate us,” the governor said.

“Many of our universities are reluctant to step down to basic levels and offer solutions to simple issues,” he said.

The researchers are said to be in search of higher knowledge, which has to be applied to problems much above the basic issues, he said.

He recalled the functioning of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which handles very advanced space science, and at the same time, uses it to help ordinarypeople, including our farmers and fisherfolk. If a premier organisation like ISRO can take care of ordinary people’s needs, our universities can also replicate such successin the areas they serve, he added.

The governor also honoured MG University Vice-Chancellor Dr Sabu Thomas, who received the membership of the European Academy of Sciences
and International Academy of Physical Sciences, and Dr C. Thomas Abraham, coordinator of the National Service Scheme of the university, who led the literacy drive making Kottayam a hundred percent literate town.

Thomas Chazhikadan MP, Kerala state higher education council vice-chairman Dr Rajan Gurukkal, syndicate member P.K. Harikumar, pro-vice-chancellor, prof C.T. Aravinda Kumar and K. Suresh Kurup, MLA, among others were present on the occasion.