President expresses concern over ’empty villages’

KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed his concern over villages turning ’empty’ due to rampant migration to urban areas.

In his address to a function marking the 65th anniversary of Thamel-based Saraswoti Multiple Campus today, the Head of the State urged one and all to seek ways to address the situation.

He said villages face depopulation despite advancements in education, communications, road, health and electricity sectors after the advent of democracy. Villages experience a population decline to consume the benefits of developments, according to the President.

Stressing that education system of any nation should be determined by given socio-economic situation and other needs, the President advised authorities to formulate education policies and programmes capable of producing globally competitive human resources.

“Combined efforts are necessary towards this end and academic institutions should take its initiations.”

He urged policymakers and relevant authorities to concentrate on finding solutions to address the issue and highlighted the need of promoting job opportunities and vocational education to prevent the widespread migrations of youths in search of careers abroad. He said he was pleased to be part of the anniversary celebrations of the campus carrying a history of 65 years.

The President who was once a student of this college said he had given his fertile time to the movement for democracy as the college student. According to him, the college atmosphere had played a role to further enhance his political awakening and thus his political career.

President Paudel mentioned that Saraswoti Campus has become the source of inspiration for Nepal’s education sector as it had provided opportunity for pursuing higher education in easy and accessible manner in those days when it was very difficult for Nepalese youths to get education.

“Not having physical infrastructures with campus even in present situation is the matter of concern. I urge the government to provide special support for physical infrastructures of the country’s oldest and leading educational institution, Saraswoti Campus,” he shared.

Similarly, Acting Vice Chancellor of the Tribhuvan University Prof Dr Shiva Lal Bhusal pointed out the need of strengthening the existing educational institutions rather than establishing new ones.

Achievements could be gained only if the university is connected with State’s plan, he said.

Founding Campus Chief of the Campus, Prof Shankar Raj Pathak, recalled that President Paudel was very active during his student life and expressed the belief that the country would achieve development and prosperity from President Paudel’s activeness.

Likewise, Campus Chief Golaman Gurung informed that the Campus has been running different educational programmes keeping the educational quality in mind.

Established on Poush 10, 2016 BS, Saraswoti Multiple Campus has around 7,000 students.