JU to Launch Historic ‘College on Wheels’: LG to Flag-Off Contingent of 700 Students From Katra Railway Station Tomorrow

Train journey to be a life changing experience for students: Prof Dinesh Singh

In a groundbreaking move, University of Jammu is all set to launch historic ‘College on Wheels’ also known as Jammu and Kashmir Gyanodaya Express, a transformative educational journey that sets more than 700 girls on a unique learning adventure.

The historic Gyanodaya Express shall be flagged-off by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and Chancellor University of Jammu, Shri Manoj Sinha on 19th of November, 2023 from Katra Railway Station, Jammu.

Speaking during a curtain raiser ceremony, Prof Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman Higher Education Council J&K UT and former Vice Chancellor Delhi University and, said that the enlarged definition of education is search of ‘inner self’.

“In order to recognize yourself, one need to understand inner self. This journey is largely inspired by the life and examples of Mahatma Gandhi, who used to say, like Rabindranath Tagore, Socrates and Kabir, that education is outside the classroom as much as it is inside the classroom,” he said and added that train journey would be a life changing experience for students.

He said that Gandhi became Mahatma Gandhi largely due to train journey.

“He had not been Mahatma Gandhi, if he had not been thrown out of the train. He understood India after he undertook a yearlong epic train journey to see every corner of the country and its problems,” said Prof Dinesh Singh, adding that even during freedom struggle and mass mobilization, Mahatma Gandhi used to travel through train, so the role of train in the life of Mahatma Gandhi was very important.

He stated that this particular educational journey is inspired by the concept and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.

“In this train students are expected to recognize themselves and I am hopeful that other universities of the country would get inspired from this initiative and also make it an important part of their curriculum,” Prof Dinesh Singh said and emphasized that one more important feature of this journey is that the students shall be taught about operating Charkha and student who will spin longest thread from Charkha shall be rewarded.

He further said that during this journey, students will get a chance to visit Ashrams of Mahatma Gandhi in Sabarmati and Vardha, wherein they will go through the history and significance of these places in freedom struggle.

“The initiative provides students with firsthand exposure to diverse landscapes, cultures, and communities, enriching their understanding of the world,” Prof Dinesh Singh said and added that collaborative projects with local communities contribute to meaningful social impact.He further appreciated and acknowledged the role and support of the Lieutenant Governor’s administration.

 “This particular initiative is a dream of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha and Vice Chairman Higher Education Council J&K UT, Dinesh Singh, wherein University of Jammu has been selected as a nodal institute,” said Vice Chancellor, Prof Umesh Rai while addressing media.

He said that this innovative educational program will take learning of students to new horizons, quite literally.

“More than 700 students along with 100 faculty members from seven academic institutions of Jammu and Kashmir, besides Cluster Innovation Center Delhi, IIT Bombay and more than 20 affiliated colleges of J&K UT are participating in this momentous journey,” said Vice Chancellor, adding that the seven educational institutions included Kashmir University, Cluster University of Srinagar, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Cluster University of Jammu, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Mata Vaishno Devi University and University of Jammu.

He shared that this is first of its kind educational journey in the history of Jammu and Kashmir in which more than 700 students are selected on the basis of the merit of their projects.

“These projects are interdisciplinary in nature, as students from different backgrounds are part of single group, working under the supervision of a mentor,” said Vice Chancellor, Prof Umesh Rai, adding that these students were selected after proper screening of their projects and each group of seven to eight students shall be supervised by a mentor.

Giving further details, Prof Umesh Rai said that there is facility of library on the train, so that every student must read at least one book and write review of the same. There would be presentations by every student.

“Through this initiative of College on Wheels, we are trying to dissolve boundaries of the subjects, it will change the education concept of four walls of classroom and I must say that this is not a train journey but to be precise a life journey, in which these students shall discover their inner self,” said Prof Umesh Rai, adding “This initiative aligns with our commitment to providing innovative, experiential learning opportunities."

He said “The "College on Wheels" initiative redefines the traditional classroom experience by blending academics with adventure. Students will embark on a transformative educational journey, traveling to various destinations via train, creating a dynamic and immersive learning environment.”

The journey is scheduled to flag-off from Katra Railway Station by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on 19th of November 2023. The route of the train shall be from Jammu to Delhi, Ahmadabad, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Delhi and back to Jammu.

During the course of the journey, students shall visit both the houses of Parliament, President House, IIT Bombay, Shipyards of Bombay and Goa, ISRO and some other relevant places.

Earlier, Prof Naresh Padha Coordinator College on Wheels, delivered the formal welcome address, whereas Dr Vinay Thusoo conducted the proceedings of the function.

Others present on the occasion included, Dr Garima Gupta (Head Department of Journalism and Media Studies), Dr Neeraj Sharma (Special Secretary to Vice Chancellor), Dr Daud Iqbal Baba (Nodal Officer, College on Wheels), Dr Shalu Sharma (Nodal Officer, College on Wheels), Dr Bindoo Sangra (Department of Law) and Dr Akhilesh Sharma (Liaison Officer).