Srinagar: As a significant measure under its CSR Programme, J&K Bank presented two eleven-seater electric cars to Kashmir University for use of differently-abled students.
Chairman and CEO J&K Bank Parvez Ahmad handed over the keys of specially designed eco-friendly cars to Vice Chancellor Kashmir University, Khursheed Andrabi Monday amid a huge round of applause and in presence of the bank’s Executive President S S Sehgal, President P K Tickoo, Zonal Head Kashmir Central – I, Manzoor Hussain Cluster Head, Shahzad Teli, Registrar Kashmir University Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Bhat, Dean Academics Musadiq Amin Sahaf, Dean Students Welfare Dr. Gh Nabi Khaki and other senior officials of the bank and university.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Parvez Ahmad said, “It gives me immense pleasure to present these vehicles as a humble contribution to ease the plying of differently-abled students within the university campus. We represent two great institutions of the state which have huge responsibility towards stakeholders. For this we need to join hands and pool our resources to bring in positive changes in the society which need broader understanding and deeper insights into the challenges we face.”
“Since we are placed in a situation that is both peculiar and fragile, we require innovative solutions to meet the problems we face. Besides, we need to explore the ways and means to utilize under-services potential sectors of our economy. Unemployment is one such challenge for both of us as the state has very limited scope for employment opportunities”, he added.
Chairman also highlighted important role played by both the institutions in transforming the lives of people of J&K state.
“J&K Bank is a universal bank which acts as a catalyst in socio economic transformation of the state with special focus on empowerment of which education is the most important part. The pro-active role played by J&K bank and Kashmir University has led to the social transformation in our state. It is our responsibility to work in cooperation and keep trying to live upto the expectations of our people”, said Parvez Ahmad.
With the provision of these special vehicles, around 66 differently-abled students will be benefited who are currently enrolled in the university’s main campus.
Interacting with the university officials, Chairman was apprised about the various issues regarding scholarship fund, research, entrepreneurship development, banking services and infrastructure development at the university campus in Srinagar and other satellite campuses. The university authorities requested for two more electric cars and an ambulance besides establishing a full-fledged branch of the bank exclusively for the KU staff and students within the campus for which land would be made available by the university.
In response, Chairman Parvez Ahmed agreed that the bank would provide two more such cars for differently abled besides a state-of-the-art ambulance for emergency health care of staff and students on the campus. Giving an on-spot go-ahead for exclusive business unit at KU Campus with all digital facilities and an all-inclusive interior infra-structure, he even asked for feasible dates from the University authorities for its foundation stone ceremony.
“To cater to the diverse banking facilities needed by Kashmir University we shall lay the foundation of a full-fledged branch in the campus very soon,” said Parvez Ahmad. The branch will ensure efficiency in delivery mechanism of all banking services and products, he said.
Furthermore, he urged the university authorities to establish an Incubation Center for experimenting innovations which can be clubbed with Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) for upgrading the skill profile of students.
“As a bank we feel and understand your needs better. And we are ready to fund all the viable ideas and innovative proposals put forward by the brighter minds cultivated by the university”, he said.
He also assured the university authorities of further assistance and support in their endeavor to further uplift the infra-structural set up of the university. The chairman announced establishment of a Professor’s Chair on Rural Innovation & Startups and Marketing Linkages in the university. He also agreed to fund education expenses to the poor and needy students after getting the admission in any course in the university. “A committee shall be set-up jointly by the bank and the university to scrutinize such cases which deserve our financial support,” said the chairman.
While discussing job opportunities for meritorious students in the bank, the chairman said, “We shall be exploring possibilities to open direct job window for gold medalists in streams like commerce, economics, management etc.”
Extending his heartfelt gratitude for the Chairman on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Dr. Khursheed Iqbal Andrabi said, “I am extremely grateful to him for this kind gesture. The provision of these special vehicles shall further ease the movement of differently abled students in the campus.”
“J&K Bank has been proactive in helping to upgrade the socio-economic infrastructure of the state and has always been forthcoming in its support to Kashmir University”, he added.
Pertinently, this is for the first time that such vehicles for these students have been provided to any educational institute of the state.
Earlier, Registrar Kashmir University Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Bhat praised the bank for its immense contributions towards the state’s massive economic transformation besides preservations of social and cultural heritage of J&K.
Notably, the bank shall be entering into an institutional tie-up through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the university to realize the aforesaid objectives.
