Jammu: As Jammu and Kashmir is battling one of its worst natural disasters in recent times, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday emphasised collective responsibility to protect “Mother Earth” and the need to promote environmental awareness at all levels of society.
“Our youth must drive development that meets societal needs without compromising ecosystems and optimise the use of resources through modern innovation. We need to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to make the Earth better for future generations,” the LG said while delivering a keynote address at the foundation day ceremony of the University of Jammu.
“It is our shared responsibility to protect Mother Earth and promote the culture of environmental awareness at all levels of society,” he said.
In recent weeks, the Jammu region has been hit by multiple rain-induced flash floods and landslides, which claimed scores of lives and wreaked havoc on crops and infrastructure.
“Today, the whole world is affected by natural disasters. There was massive destruction of infrastructure and loss of lives in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that the central government is fully committed to ensuring that normal life resumes once again and the affected people are rehabilitated properly.
“Once road connectivity is completely restored, the university administration must send groups of students to serve in different areas and prepare a team of volunteers who will assist and help the district administration in the relief and rehabilitation of families affected by the recent natural calamities in the UT,” he said.
The LG felicitated the alumni of the University and called upon them to contribute to the progress of the institution. In his address, he also mentioned the rankings of UT universities in NIRF-2025 and said they should be critically evaluated to set new goals.
Newly established SMVDIME gets 50 MBBS seats, LG thanks Modi, Nadda
The newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) has been sanctioned 50 MBBS seats, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
A new medical college owned by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) commenced its operations last year in Reasi district, with the medical college set to start imparting education for the first batch of MBBS students in the academic session 2025-26.
“Grateful to Honourable PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Honourable Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda Ji for sanctioning 50 MBBS seats for the newly established Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME),” the LG posted on X.
The LG added that this decision not only fulfils the resolve of the SMVDSB to provide world-class medical education in J&K but also meets the objective of improving healthcare access and increasing highly skilled medical professionals in underserved areas.
The Shrine Board, in its 71st meeting held on August 19, 2023, had granted in-principle approval for the establishment of a 50-seat medical college at Kakryal, with a long-term plan for upgradation to a 100-seat medical college subsequently.
“Our aim is to help more MBBS aspirants study in the UT, and we have made significant strides in this area by increasing MBBS seats in the past few years. These achievements will ensure greater access to specialised care and build a stronger healthcare system,” Sinha said.
“The session is set to begin as counselling is going on,” Executive Director SMVDIME Dr Yaspaul Sharma said.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence – Medical College started its operations in the administrative block of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University at Kakryal in November last year.
The SMVDIME Medical College is expected to be completed with all facilities soon.
The medical college is affiliated with SMVD University, with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana superspeciality hospital serving as its teaching hospital. MBBS students will receive hands-on training in approximately 26 specialties available at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality hospital in Kakryal, officials said.
