SRINAGAR, July 26: Terming debate as the essence of democracy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced the setting up of National Conference Student Union (NCSU), a move which is likely to draw flak in the valley where student politics has been discouraged by authorities for a long time now.
“Dialogue, discussion and debate are the essence of democracy and need to be promoted for a healthy strong polity,” Abdullah told the office bearers.
“We hope to create a huge number of young people who can present their own views with conviction and at the same time contribute to socio-political dynamics in an environment of mutual respect and tolerance,” he added.
Student union activities were banned and its office razed to ground in the University of Kashmir since the 2008 summer uprising. And it was not immediately clear whether the body floated by National Conference will be recognised by the authorities at the universities.
“Omar Abdullah named Usman Gani as Provincial President (Kashmir), Nida Khan as the senior vice president, Imran Pandit as general secretary and Iqram Shafiee as Joint Secretary of the NCSU,” a spokesman of the ruling National Conference said.
The chief minister, who is the working president of the party, also named Naheed Iqbal and Pradeep Singh as spokespersons, Irfan Kuchay as Treasurer, Hardeep Singh as organizer, Omar Niyaz as organizing secretary of the union, he said.
Abdullah said time had come for students to come forward and develop their skills to compete at the global stage.
“Students activism is the need of the hour and I see an incredible enthusiasm in the students, they are upbeat, our students are very talented and I have absolutely no doubt that students from universities, colleges, will compete with anyone nationally or internationally,” he said.
The chief minister said with proper grooming of students and by inculcating in them the spirit of public service, building confidence along with academic excellence should throw up some future leaders who can lead not only the state but also the country.
(Agencies)
