Jhajjar, February 21
Government College, Badli, is still in its infancy. The eight students in the first batch are going to complete their graduation this year. Situated in Badli village, 18 km from Bahadurgarh, it is a godsend for students of the countryside who otherwise may have to discontinue their studies after completing schooling.
The setting up of the college in Badli, the Assembly constituency and the native village of Mr Dir Pal, a senior Haryana minister, is a shining example of grass-root democracy. In the early stage of its development, the government was nowhere in the picture. The idea was conceived by the people of Badli who donated the land. After that, the village panchayat cooperated with the people to construct a two-storey building. Following the completion of these initial phases, the state government stepped in and provided recognition and allotted staff to the college.
Now the government has taken over the college but the panchayat is still contributing in its development. The sarpanch said that a grant of around Rs 12 lakh has come to the panchayat for the college, which would be utilised soon. He, however, informed that the land has not been transferred to the PWD so far and this lacuna could create problems in the future as some family members who contributed the land could have second thoughts and approach the court.
The college has nine lecturers and around 330 students at present. The most significant fact is that 120 of the students are girls. The principal, Mr Tarsem Sharma, told the ‘NCR Tribune’ that a parent-teacher meeting was called recently in view of the visit of the NAAC team. Most of the parents said at the meeting that they would not have sent their daughters for higher education had this college not come up here. At least 50 per cent of the boys also would not have gone for higher education in other places, he said.
Mr Sharma said that the college is facing many problems, especially lack of most of the departments. However, he is happy that the funds and grants are pouring in from various quarters and hopes that they will continue till the college get furnished and developed fully.
Now, the college offers only Arts courses in limited subjects. The principal said that they are going to introduce two new practical subjects, home science and military science from the next session. The college is also introducing some computer courses in collaboration with TATA Infotech from the next session. The college has three sports teams, which have participated in inter-collegiate tournaments.
Though the college is authorised to admit students for commerce graduation, the students are not taking interest in it, Mr Sharma said. “We would try to convince at least 10-12 students to opt for commerce from the next session and the college staff are planning to visit the nearby senior secondary schools to make the students aware about the importance of this stream in the present-day circumstances,” the principal said.
Given the growing strength of students in the last two years, the college staff are highly encouraged. “The number is definitely going to touch the 550 mark if not double the present strength,” said Mr Sharma. The college would surpass the other government colleges in the nearby towns in terms of academic excellence and infrastructure, maintained an upbeat principal.
The villagers are also equally enthusiastic over the prospects of the college in their village. “With a college available so near to our houses, why shouldn’t we sent our boys and girls for higher studies!” quipped an elderly resident of the village.
A student of the college showered heaps of appreciation on the staff for the overall atmosphere in the college. He maintained that teachers are regular and cooperative and discourage using unfair means during examinations. He informed that some students had come from far-off places, especially from Delhi, to write the exams last time in the hope that they would get a favourable environment for copying but they returned disappointed as the invigilators were strict.
Being a new college, it lacks in infrastructure. New toilets and a bicycle stand were built during this session. A permanent canteen still eludes the staff, students and visitors. Furniture and other necessary equipment are being awaited.
