State govt to set up college after Marathi saint Namdev

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Ghuman (Gurdaspur), April 2

Bhagat Namdev Ji Government Degree College, the foundation stone of which will be laid tomorrow, will be the state’s tribute to 13th century Marathi saint and writer Namdev, who spent the last 20 years of his life in Ghuman.

The multi-crore college will be constructed by the state Public Works Department. Its foundation stone will be jointly laid by Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar in the presence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the inaugural day of the 88th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan tomorrow.

The state government had asked the district administration to find a suitable site for the construction of the college. After much scouting, the administration finally decided to build it in Kishankot village on the Sri-Hargobindpur Road on the outskirts of Ghuman.

Academicians have hailed the decision as there were just two colleges in the border district — in Gurdaspur city and Kala Afghana. “The college was the need of the hour. Students had to take admissions in private institutions once they finished their schooling. Moreover, Ghuman is the ideal place for such an institution as there is no good college in the entire belt,” said a college Principal.

There are several memorials in the name of Namdev, including Baba Namdev Government High School, Baba Namdev Bhavan, Baba Namdev Gurdwara Sahib Hall and the college will be yet another tribute to the Marathi writer.

The organisers of the event have temporarily changed the name of Ghuman to Sant Shresth Shri Namdev Nagri. Madhavi Vaidya, president, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, will hoist the flag after which the festivities will commence.