Dr Karan Singh Slams Closure of Vaishno Devi Medical College, Calls It Setback for Jammu Education & Jobs

Senior political figure and ex, Union minister Karan Singh has expressed his serious concern over the decision to close Vaishno Devi Medical College, describing it as a significant blow to the higher studies and job opportunities in the Jammu region.

Dr Singh said the shutting down of the medical college was "hardly understandable, " particularly when at that time access to good medical education in Jammu and Kashmir ought to be a matter of increasing, not decreasing.

Dr Singh further pointed out that the medical college was able to take in an increasing number of local students over the next few years, especially the young ones from the Dogra community. By doing so, the college closing down has basically put a stop to the future educational options of the students who want to study medicine in the region.

In a situation of national shortage of medical seats vis, a, vis student demand, shutting down makes no sense especially if the institution is functioning well. Dr Singh added that the college was going to be a source of more benefits for its students in the following academic years.

The shutting down of the college has, in his opinion, not only got students but also teachers, office staff, and health care workers of the associated hospital unsettled thus sending the wave of job losses in the region.

Employment and Regional Development Issues

Emphasizing the larger picture, Dr. Karan Singh remarked that the college was not only a place of education but also a major source of employment and a symbol of regional pride for Jammu.

He emphasized that colleges and universities are key players in the economic development of the locality, the accessibility of healthcare, the raising of human capital, potential, and the improvement of locals' skills.

Without getting into political disputes, he made a point that closing a school is one of those things that should never be rejoiced. He emphasized that the decisions made regarding education should be directed towards the long, term public interest.

Depoliticising Education Policy Demand

Dr Singh, mourning over what he considered to be the politicisation of the matter, pleaded with the government to take the higher education decisions in Jammu and Kashmir with a sense of social responsibility and a focus on developmental goals in the long run.

The Vaishno Devi Medical College closure flap is still a source of different views of education policy, regional employment, and the destiny of the medical students in Jammu.