Dear Sir,
I would like to extend our heartiest thanks for supporting us in the campaign for the “Conversion of Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad to IIT Dhanbad.” I am providing the recent updates as well as milestones we have achieved in this campaign since its inception:
ISM to IIT: The Story so far
Rahul Gandhi visited the campus of the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad on October 14, 2009 about a month after a delegation of teachers, alumni and students me him on the issue of conversion of Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad to IIT, Dhanbad. This marked an important milestone for the campaign, which was initiated by the students of this 83 year old institute about three months ago.
On the day, Mr. Gandhi’s chopper landed at the Lower Ground of ISM amidst claps and roars of 3000 ISMites. As his convoy moved from Lower ground towards Penman Auditorium, the human chain of 3000 ISMites impeccably dressed in shining blue blazers already had an impact on the young leader. The message – “We stand to seek your support for the conversion of ISM to IIT” was communicated aptly.
At the Penman, a small delegation of ISMites (only alumni and current students) was allowed in. As the proceedings started, the Youth Congress discussed their party strategy and Mr. Gandhi conveyed his message to them. As the event was about to close, the delegation of ISMites stood and requested an audience with Mr. Gandhi for two minutes. The main objective was to understand Mr. Gandhi’s thoughts about our demand and to provide proper justifications to it. The delegation also requested him to meet the 3000 ISMites in the Upper Ground who were standing in scorching heat for 4 hours with no food or water. The request was graciously accepted.
A sudden change was made in the agenda and Rahul Ji, on his way back to Lower Ground helipad, stopped at Upper ground. The excitement level of the students gathered was evident. Under a series of camera flashes, Rahul Ji came into the crowd and with his cute dimpled smile acknowledged the welcome. He said that he remembered the visit of a delegation from ISM which met him in Delhi on the issue and that the government is looking into the matter seriously. Though he did not promise a conversion, he assured that he would personally look into it that the MHRD shows a positive interest in the demand.
The campaign to convert Indian School of Mines University to IIT Dhanbad was initiated by the students of ISMU about three months ago. The realization that, despite its 83 year legacy and being the backbone of the country’s energy, mineral and mining industries, the institute was lagging behind just because it lacked the IIT brand name egged the students on. In addition, students qualifying IIT-JEE, preferred to join nascent IITs with minimal infrastructure rather than coming to an institute that has provided yeoman’s service to the nation since its inception, even though the mode of entrance was the same (IIT-JEE).
An online petition was filed by an alumnus of ISM, Mr. Neelmani Singh on behalf of the alumni and students of ISM dhanbad on the site http://www.petitiononline.com/ismu. Signatures are still coming in on the petition (4630 signatures till date) and shall be sent to the MHRD and other concerned authorities in due course of time.
Subsequently, several final year students have visited alumni chapters of ISM all over the country to gather support and take suggestions on the course of action to be followed. Several eminent alumni of the institute have pledged their support for this cause and have offered to help through their contacts as well as monetarily.
On August 18, 2009, the Executive Board of ISMU met and this issue was of prime importance on the agenda. At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Executive Board of ISMU, Shri P.K. Lahiri himself addressed the students gathered outside the Admin Block that a proposal for the conversion of ISM to IIT Dhanbad would be sent to the MHRD immediately. The Director, Prof. T. Kumar and the Registrar Col. P.S. Sandhu reiterated this fact. The Chairman also added that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the same shall be made within the next three months and which too shall be forwarded to the MHRD.
While this meeting was under way, the Teacher’s Association of ISMU had also given its unanimous support to the cause in a resolution whose copy is attached with this mail. The President of the Teacher’s Association Dr. P.P. Bahuguna, Vice-President, Dr. G. Udaybhanu, the secretary Dr. Somnath Chattopadhyay and several other members of the faculty have been in complete support of this movement from the beginning and have given valuable advice from time to time. It must be added here that the Teacher’s Association in a letter addressed to the Members of Parliament of Jharkhand had already proposed the conversion about two months previously.
After the resolution was passed by the Executive Board, the students started approaching state and national leaders in support of our campaign. They got a very positive response from Mrs. Rita Verma (Ex MP, Dhanbad), Shri P.N Singh (MP, Dhanbad), Shri Madhu Koda, Shri Yashwant Sinha (MP, Hazaribagh), Shri Arjun Munda (MP, Jamshedpur), Shri Shibu Soren (MP, Dumka), Shri Babulal Marandi (MP, Koderma), Shri Ravindra Pandey (MP, Giridih) and have been assured by them that they would take up the matter with the MHRD at a personal level.
Meetings with eminent leaders and other events (in chronological order)
On August 26, 2009, we got an appointment with His Excellency Shri K. Sankarnarayanan, Governor of Jharkhand. He assured us that he will put up the matter in front of Mr. Kapil Sibal, Minister of HRD, GOI. We also received a copy of the letter from the Governor, a copy of which is attached with this mail.
A delegation of students and teachers also met Smt. D. Purandeshwari, Minister of State for MHRD, GOI and briefed her about the matter. She, too extended her support for the cause.
Recently, we met Shri Subodh Kant Sahay (Union Food Processing Minister, GOI ; MP, Ranchi) and he showed immense interest in this matter. He has also forwarded this matter to the MHRD by writing a letter to Shri. Kapil Sibal, Minister of HRD, GOI.
On September 14, 2009, we launched a signature campaign in Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Ranchi and Bokaro to gain the support of people of Jharkhand. A milestone of crossing 1,25,000 signature has been achieved so far.
On September 18, 2009 a delegation of ISM’s students met Shri Sachin Pilot and received his support on the matter. The next day, they met Shri Rahul Gandhi as well and he too assured that he would look into the matter at a personal level. As mentioned earlier, he visited the campus on October 14, 2009 and reiterated his support in front of 3000 odd enthusiastic ISMites.
Sir, we would be highly grateful if you could cover this story in the upcoming edition of “The Week”.
Thanking you.
Waiting in anticipation.
Yours Sincerely,
Divir Tiwari
PS : Sir, we’ll provide the photographs of the Rahul Gandhi Ji’s visit at ISM as soon as possible. Rest supporting documents are
enclosed with this mail.
Enclosures
1) Copy of the letter sent from the Hon’ble Governor to Sh. Kapil Sibbal Ji.
2) Copy of the Resolution passed from the Executive Board.
3) Letter received from MHRD.
4) A Presentation supporting the claim.
5) ISM to IIT campaign : In News
6) Online Petition
7) ISM at a glance
Eminent Alumni List
(Enclosures are not shown here: available in ISMU2IIT google group…)
