NID to be declared as Centre of Excellence

By Haryananewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, MAY 22

The  Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and Textile, Mr. Anand Sharma, today said that in view of its national importance, the National Institute of Design (NID) has been declared as Center of Excellence.  A Bill in this regard is expected to be passed in the next session of Parliament.

          Mr. Sharma was speaking after laying the foundation stone of NID, at village Umri in district Kurukshetra. Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also present on the occasion.

He said that Japan would provide technology assistance to bring NID, Kurukshetra at the International Map. Haryana has now become the first State in the Northern Region and second in the Country to have such an institute. The first NID was set up at Ahmedabad in Gujarat in 1961. NID at Kurukshetra  would be set up over an area of about 20 acres with an investment of Rs. 160 crore. The land for this institute has been provided free by the State Government. Different disciplines of design including under graduate and Post Graduate programmes would be offered here. This institute would provide world class design education and training to the professionals in the field of Animation, Film, Exhibition, Graphics, Product, Ceramic and Glass, Life Style and Furniture and Interior Design. The concerned departments of the Ministry have been directed to complete all the relevant formalities so as to set up this institute in a record time, he added.

          Mr. Sharma said that recently he had been to Japan where he urged Japan to collaborate in the setting up of NID, Kurushetra. It was a matter of happiness that Japan would provide technological assistance to this institute. Apart from this Japan has also assured collaboration and investment in the main industrial townships of Manesar-Bawal being developed under the Delhi-Mumbai Corridor.

          While coming down heavily on the opposition parties, Mr. Sharma said that acknowledging the importance of NID, the Union Cabinet had declared it as Center of Excellence but regretted that a bill in this regard could not be passed in the Parliament because the opposition parties has hindered the smooth functioning of the Parliament. Due to the irresponsible attitude of the opposition, several other Bills of national importance including Food Security Bill could not be discussed in the house. However, he hoped that the opposition would realize its responsibility and play a constructive role in the next parliamentary session thereby allowing taking decisions in the interest of the country.

          Congratulating the UPA Government on the completion of its nine year, Mr. Sharma said former Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru had a comprehensive vision for the country. Supplementing his vision, now UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was working towards nation’s building. He said that eight new Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), seven Indian Institute of Management (IIM), five new Institute of Science were being set up in the country. Similarly, 30 institutes related to Information Technology would be set up and 30 central Universities had already been set up in the country.

          Describing Mr. Hooda as popular and progressive Chief Minister Mr. Sharma said that it was due to the persistent efforts of Mr. Hooda that the only NID of the Northern Region has been given to Haryana. Besides, this Institute a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) would also be set up in Panchkula. This institute would give further boost to the industries related to fashion and textile.

          Supporting to the claims of Mr. Hooda of inclusive development of Haryana, the Union Minister said that Mr. Hooda had provided an able leadership to Haryana. He said that per capita income, per capita investment, resource mobilization was the social indices of development and Haryana is way ahead in these spheres as compared to other states. Apparently taking a dig at Chief Minister of Gujarat Mr. Narinder Modi without naming him, Mr. Sharma said that few people claimed that they were way ahead from other States in development. But people were aware of everything and the figures speak where the development actually has taken place.      

          Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hooda said that NID being developed in Kurukshetra would be the only such institute of Northern India. The campus will provide education to 500 students of under-graduate and post-graduate programme with a teaching faculty of about 100 and supporting technical staff of 150.

          Mr. Hooda said that during the last about eight years, inclusive development of all areas and welfare of every section of the society has been ensured. Separate polices have been prepared for the welfare of every section be it farmer, poor, labourer, scheduled castes, backward classes and imparting qualitative education to the children. Mr. Hooda said that only those nation, society or states would progress which would lead in education. Acknowledging this fact, various educational institutes have been set up in the State. Rajiv Gandhi Education City was being developed in Kundli, Sonipat where 1.50 lakh students would get quality education under one roof.   In the coming four to five years Haryana would become an educational hub of International level, he added.

          Mr. Hooda also informed in detail about National Institute of Fashion Technology to be set up at Panchkula, first Defence University of the country to be set up in Gurgaon and other prestigious institutes in the State. He said that a Nuclear Science Institute would come up in Bahadurgarh, the foundation stone of which would be laid by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh soon.

          While taking a dig at Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Modi, Mr. Hooda said that Mr. Modi claimed that the entire milk to Delhi was being supplied from Gujarat. Whereas, the reality is that the per capita milk production in Gujarat is just 400 gm whereas, it is 750 gm in Haryana.

          Mr. Hooda said that when he took over the reign of the state in 2005, Haryana was at 14th place in per capita investment. The planned budget of Haryana was only 2300 crore. But now, Haryana has a planned budget of 26000 crore and the State ranked one in per capita investment.

On this occasion, Mr. Hooda announce to give Rs. One Crore from HRDF. He also said that a government polytechnic would also be constructed near the NID Campus.

          Haryana Finance Minister Mr. Harmohinder Singh Chatha, Member of Parliament Mr. Naveen Jindal, Rajya Sabha Member Dr. Ram Parkash, MLA and Chairman Haryana Institute of Public Enterprises Mr. Anil Dhantodi, Director NID, Ahmedabad Mr. Pradyumna Vyas also spoke on the occasion.

          Those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sultan Singh Jandaula, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Prof. Virender Singh, Principal Secretary Mr, Chattar Singh, former MP Mrs. Kailasho Saini, Joint Secretary, Ministries of Industries Mr. D.S Dhesi, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Mandeep Singh Brar and other senior officers.