Srinagar, June 24, 2025 – Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Higher Education, Sakina Itoo, alongside Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, dedicated five buses to Government Degree Colleges in Kupwara, Sopore, Tangmarg, DH Pora, and Tulail, aiming to enhance educational access for students in remote areas of Kashmir. The flagging-off ceremony took place at Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial College, Bemina, as part of J&K Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
Speaking at the event, Minister Itoo underscored the critical role of transportation in fostering inclusive education. “This initiative empowers students, especially those from far-flung areas, by easing their daily commute to colleges,” she said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to equitable education. She noted that a similar initiative was recently implemented in Jammu, where five colleges also received buses, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen educational infrastructure across the Union Territory.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Colleges Benefited | GDCs Kupwara, Sopore, Tangmarg, DH Pora, Tulail |
| Event Location | Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial College, Bemina, Srinagar |
| Initiative | J&K Bank CSR program for student transportation |
| Key Attendees | Sakina Itoo, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Irshad Rasool Kar |
| Objective | Improve access to education for students in remote areas |
Itoo highlighted ongoing efforts to elevate educational standards, stating, “We are focused on ensuring students at government institutions have access to all necessary facilities, including reliable transport.” She announced plans to extend similar support to additional colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, aligning with the government’s vision for comprehensive educational reform.
The minister interacted with principals, faculty, NCC cadets, and students, commending their contributions to academic excellence. She expressed gratitude to J&K Bank for its CSR support, describing it as a “significant step” toward enhancing students’ educational journeys. J&K Bank’s GM & Divisional Head Shabir Ahmad and DGM Anup Bhat reiterated the bank’s commitment to inclusive development, noting an increased CSR budget to support critical sectors like education and health.
The event was attended by MLAs Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and Irshad Rasool Kar , alongside senior officials including the MD Motor Garage, Director Finance Higher Education, Director Colleges, and J&K Bank’s Zonal Heads Fayaz Ahmad, Khurshid Muzaffar, Raja Zaffar Khan, and Irfan Anjum. The initiative, following a similar bus allocation for five Jammu colleges flagged off by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last week, brings the total to ten buses provided to GDCs across J&K, reinforcing equitable access to education.
