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There Is Pause And Not Full Stop
At The End Of Peace Process:
Amitabh Mattoo

By Prof Amitabh Mattoo & Zafar Choudhary

22 January, 2008
Epilogue


The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, PROF AMITABH MATTOO plays the role of a strategic analyst and social scientist which stretches far beyond the Campus. In an exclusive interview with ZAFAR CHOUDHARY, Editor-in-Chief, EPILOGUE Magazine he shares his opinion about the peace process, educational scenario and possibilities of his joining politics. Here are excerpts:


The beginning of year 2007 was quite enthusiastic on peace dialogue. But the enthusiasm thinned down in subsequent months. How do you see the peace process moving?


Yes if we look back, the year 2007 had begun full of promises and expectations on carrying forward the peace process. I agree that the year has ended at a note of pessimism. There were some positive developments too. Path-breaking reports of four of the five Working Groups constituted by the Prime Minister were presented at third Roundtable Conference. The process of implementation is on. We can say there is a pause or comma but not the full stop at the end of the peace process. There were internal problems in Pakistan due to which the course of dialogue between the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf could not be strengthened and sustained as it had been going on. On the internal front, the dialogue between the separatists and the Government of India too turned out to be a non-starter this year. I, however, remain convinced that the Prime Minister is fully committed to using his term as the Chief Executive of the country to bring sustainable peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Now what shape the South Asian politics takes has to be seen.


How do you see the impact of internal disturbance in Pakistan on New Delhi-Islamabad relations and on the course of peace process in Jammu and Kashmir?

The immediate impact is that one separatist group has lost the idea as what negotiations they should take on. There is a degree of confusion between several groups. The situation assuming Pakistan has a definite impact on New Delhi-Islamabad relations also to the extent that there is no positive development on a wide range of issues. In long term it is important that Pakistan emerges as a stable and healthy democratic society. It is in the interest of India for being the immediate neighbour.


What is your analysis of the latest security situation in Jammu and Kashmir?

Situation is much better than any year in past 15 years. It is still getting better. There is a climate of change and the waves of peace can be clearly seen on the horizons. The major reason for this fast emerging atmosphere of peace is that there is an all pervasive feeling among the people of Jammu and Kashmir that violence is not the instrument of achieving the political ends.

What is your idea of economic development of Jammu and Kashmir. Our state has the lowest rate of poverty (little over three percent) but still it is projected as one of the poor states in the country.

This is a stark paradox. People are generally not poor but the state is poor in terms of its resources and production. There is a general feeling that people lack the due empowerment. There has to be a clearly defined objective of making people empowered through education and better governance. I believe that the present Chief Minister has a vision for the future to see Jammu and Kashmir emerging as prosperous and economically empowered state. CM has been trying to improve the system of governance but unfortunately the instruments are still caught in a time warp. The bureaucracy needs to gear up to meet the challenges of governance. In this connection, two critical areas for improvement are the Panchayati Raj and the infrastructure building apparatus.


How do you look at the changing educational profile of Jammu and Kashmir? There are seven Universities, two deemed Universities. 40 new government degree colleges have recently come up. How do you make comparative analysis with other parts of the country?

Despite this massive infrastructure development, Jammu and Kashmir still lags behind in higher education. What were witnessing today in terms of expansion are the revolutionary steps to put the state at part with other parts of country. We are going through a phase which can be described as a real inquilab in enhancing the educational profile. This needs to be sustained and strengthened.


Could you please describe the Jammu University the way it existed on the day when you had taken over as Vice Chancellor?

It was provincial university with huge potential. Located in a tense and conflict ridden state it was looking towards future but there was no line of action in place. Some of the departments were doing quite well but the talent was not fully exploited. The campus was lacking in terms of infrastructure.

Where does the University of Jammu stand today?

Well, today the University of Jammu is on the radar of higher education map of India. Potential of its students is fully booming and is being appropriately exploited. Concerted attempts at excellence have made the University one of the best in the country.

Which department of the University do you rate as number one in terms of academic excellence?

I would rather talk about two departments. One is new and the other is older with a new outlook. I am talking about the department of biotechnology and microbiology as the new emerging faculties making excellence in the discipline. The older one is the department of Management studies which was given a new outlook, a new branding and a new name as the ‘Business School’. The department was refurbished and put under a dynamic leadership which has made it among the top ten business schools in the country.


Your ISO certification has often been laughed at by the critics. How do you explain the advantages of this quality certification?

We are the first University in the country with ISO certification which simply means quality satisfaction. The ISO certification is an assessment of level of satisfaction expected by the stakeholders. There are periodic assessments and each time the University comes true up to the expectations of the stakeholders. It is a statement of constant improvement in all spheres including academics, discipline, delivery and infrastructure.

Of late, there have been some cases of indiscipline on the campus. What do you see as provocation?

I have always pursued a liberal approach to student politics. But unfortunately, in liberal atmosphere students sometimes fall prey to some vested interests. It was a difficult situation. In such circumstances, the Vice Chancellor is seen as the only person who can provide some relief. Every body looks up to the Vice Chancellor who comes across the real test of leadership. There were some external influences but we were able to resolve the situation, of course, with the support of an overwhelming majority of the students for whom this University is a pride.

During this disturbance at the Campus, somebody accused you of being communal. How to you react to this?

That was the biggest shock. There have been several attempts to destabilize me with several ways but the most hurting word was “communal”. In fact the community and caste consideration is an anathema to me. I see myself as religiously blind.

Can you enlist some persons or other influences which contributed to the making of your secular outlook?

My mother, Jawahar Lal Nehru University and Oxford University

You were selected for Indian Police Service but you preferred to pursue your career as an educationist or social scientist. What would you have preferred to become if not an educationist?

I would have a become a journalist

It has been widely speculated that you may join politics after your present stint as Vice Chancellor. Media reports have often suggested that two important political parties in J&K have approached you for a role in organization and government. Is there something like this on cards?

(Laughs) Well, honestly speaking, I never had the time to think on anything like this. I may think once I am free from the present responsibilities.

Is it true that political parties have approached you for joining them?

Yes that is true!


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