For far too long, the people of Chenab Valley have faced severe neglect and marginalization as well as discrimination in numerous forms. While some have faced it more than others, students from Chenab Valley have been hit the hardest, facing these challenges the most intensely and uniformly.

 

 

 

[ Picture :  Doda City in Chenab ]

 

 

This naturally has had a deep, dark, and damaging impact on our communities.

 

You see it in all aspects. As a matter of fact, the very reason I have to write this petition is a result of this very neglect.

 

Whether economic or political injustice, we have seen it all.

 

Chenab Valley, nestled in the territory of J&k , has seen it all.

 

It is among the most diverse, peaceful, and, imho, livable regions in our homeland.Militancy in the region was declared dead in 2011.

 

Despite this, the students from the Valley have to study in EXILE in their own homeland.

 

And such are the sorrows of the "peace & development" that every politician, whether local or non-local, today speaks of!!

 

Chenab Valley, for those who don't know, refers to the erstwhile Doda (i.e., Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban).

 

I have personally met and spoken to students from all these regions, and we all share the same struggles, more or less.

 

Students from the regions are forced to study in exile.They have to leave their homes and seek opportunities elsewhere in far-away cities, whether in our homeland or elsewhere.

 

This obviously raises a lot of concerns.

 

First and foremost, those who leave the state face bullying, harassment, discrimination, and downright racism.

 

And when I say racism, it isn't like how they say it in movies when someone has stereotypes about you. Rather, this is the kind of "racism" that lands one in hospitals.

 

I personally know some students who were studying in big metropolises like Mumbai who had to leave their degrees in the final year back in 2019.... for obvious reasons: discrimination and a threat to their lives.

 

Now this isn't only restricted to outside J&K; rather, even inside the state, people face similar acts of discrimination, though not as severe. I have personally faced many such incidents, and this was solely due to the fact that I was from CV.

 

Somehow, the ever so resilient people of Chenab can endure this.But we cannot afford to ignore other such issues.

 

For instance, take a look at the transportation.

 

In Chenab Valley (& P.P.), statistically, on average, we have 2–3 accidents per day!! A shocking and, in my opinion, under-reported statistic that you do not hear anyone speak of!!

 

 

 

[ Blocked Road around Kishtwar, Chenab Valley ] 

 

 

 

 

[ Kishtwar - Killar highway among World's Deadliest ]  

 

This is the only way out of the Valley since the airport promised decades ago was never built. They are only still cooking plans for it.

 

Even if these students have to travel to either capital, i.e., Jammu or Srinagar, it takes mostly an entire day on these roads, given that the roads are in good condition.

 

(During the rainy season and winters, we all know that these roads are as unreliable as the state of Israel) as well as extremely dangerous, which, once again, is something that the people of Chenab would've dealt with without even complaining if it wasn't for their closure for weeks sometimes.

 

On top of tuition and other expenses, the constant travel and often expensive accommodation in cities makes it difficult for most people from the Valley, who aren't very well off to begin with, to pursue their higher education (post high school graduation).

 

This, btw, I observed, is one of the main reasons why marrying women young is still very prevalent in the region. It isn't necessarily due to culture; rather, it is due to "financial burden."

 

Extremely shameful for a region that blabs about "women empowerment" every day. And I'm sure our Education Minister, who is also a woman, would be heartbroken to hear this!!

 

Another such major concern, apart from safety, finances, etc., that may seem like a minor issue to many, is weather!!

 

YES , WEATHER !

 

Chenab isn't just scenic; rather, it is one of the colder regions in not just the state but the entire nation.

 

(Just the Other day for Instance the Nation and beyond People were boiling in some of the hottest temperatures the C.V maintained below 20 degrees of moderate temperature. )

 

The weather here in winters reaches negative temperatures, and in summers it is mild at most, and the inhabitants are very much used to this.

 

So naturally, when they travel to other regions and cities with extreme temperatures such as Jammu (which is where almost all of the students go to study because it is the cheapest and safest option for many), they aren't able to tolerate the extreme temperature, sometimes reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

I have seen many students being hospitalized due to this change and intolerance of extreme especially Hot & Humid temperatures 

 

Many also get sick easily due to alternate hygiene practices or the lack thereof, or even the extreme pollution that people of Chenab are oblivious to!

 

 

 

[ Chenab Valley Heat Map in Asia ]

 

Many are forced to commute long hours daily in traffic they aren't used to, in weather that can dry out your will to live, let alone study.

 

Others are molested and harassed in public transport, especially common for those who choose to study in other states.

 

Many students also face mental health concerns, whether due to separation from family or homesickness.

 

(This, btw, is the primary reason many of those more fortunate ones who could afford it have secondary residences in these cities.)

 

This financial strain on families, exploitation of our students     the very future of J&K    and erosion of our cultural values as many are forced to integrate into distant societies (literally or metaphorically) must stop!!

 

 

Statistics reveal that regions with local or higher education institutes experience enhanced economic growth and social development.

 

 

 

And I believe that for students, optimal performance could be reached when they are the happiest, in a good environment, amongst their people, where they don't have to constantly worry about mundane things such as passing out from extreme weather or facing discrimination or not feeling welcomed in the institutes.

 

Universities, I believe, should be a place where diverse people with diverse unique ideas can come together, engage with each other intellectually, challenge each other, explore ideas, socialize, connect, and prosper together.

 

But I mean, just imagine you can't even get along with classmates because they perceive you as an outsider or you have a hard time even communicating with others due to linguistic differences (a lot more common than people presume, btw, even in just our state and even in this specific context).

 

Naturally, a university in Chenab Valley would not just fix these issues and provide our youth in Chenab with their basic necessity, that is, education, but would also stimulate local businesses, create jobs, and foster innovation.

 

In simple words, perhaps people from the Valley of Chenab would stop perceiving the "lies" of "peace & development" as lies and perhaps embrace it as their newfound reality!!

 

Furthermore, it is a crucial step to promote peace in the greater region of Kashmir and the rising insurgency in the relatively peaceful Valley of Chenab post-2019.

 

A step towards ending the discrimination and sheer neglect that plagues our beautiful Chenab Valley.

 

Education, after all, is a fundamental right!!

 

We urge the current Government of J&K and all relevant authorities to recognize the tears of the students of the Valley and the immediate need for a university in Chenab Valley.

 

This, btw, is one of the last remaining bigger regions of Kashmir, including all administered territories, that does not have access to a university   (surprisingly, even the most neglected regions of Kashmir, including occupied regions in Pakistan, all have a university) (once again, a matter of shame for our government that claims a moral upper hand).

 

 

Establishing CVU (Chenab Valley University) will be a cornerstone in creating a more equitable, educated, peaceful, and desirable future for not just the Valley of Chenab but the entire Greater Kashmir. 

 

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We urge everyone to speak up on this issue. Please share this petition widely, tag us on social media, and reach out to us if you wish to share your story.

 

Use the hashtags: 

#CVU

#DemandCVU

#CVUNOW

#ChenabValleyUniversity

#FreeChenab

 

 

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