Link : http://www.planetthane.com/news/0902201307.htm


Give Credit where Credit is due

By Raghavendra Odeyar

On February 2 a few parents of the first year engineering students of Parshvanath College of Engineering, Kasarvadavali, went to the office of BJP’s ex-MLC, Sanjay Kelkar to express their gratitude for his intervention in helping the students to get admitted in various colleges.

Following the apex court’s order to close the college and admit the affected students in other colleges, DTE (Directorate of Technical Education, Mumbai) sent a letter to Parshvanath College of Engineering to forward the list of students of 2nd, 3rdand 4th year who were subsequently transferred to other colleges. However, DTE informed the college that students of 1st year will not be transferred as their admissions to Parshwanath College were illegal. This would have meant a loss of one year of the 1st year students.

The parents of the affected students challenged the DTE’s diktat. At the time of taking admissions in July, 2012, the name of Parshvanath College of Engineering had figured in DTE’s 2012 brochure, which was released by them for CAP (Centralized Admission Process) round.

Further the 1st year students had received Admit Cards for the first semester examination conducted by the Mumbai University which goes to prove that the admission of 1st year students was not illegal.

One of the aggrieved parents, Satyajit Shah, approached BJP’s ex-MLC, Sanjay Kelkar seeking his help in the matter. Kelkar evinced keen interest in the matter and took up the issue with AICTE and DTE, but unfortunately could not cut ice with the authorities. Undeterred, Kelkar moved a step further. He led a delegation of the affected students and parents to the Minister of Technical Education, Rajesh Tope. The Minister directed Mahajan, Director of DTE and Mantha, Chairman of AICTE to transfer 1st year students to other colleges. Ultimately, all the 1st year students, numbering to 129, got admission in various colleges, as per their choices given in the transfer form. The woes of the students had finally come to an end thanks to the initiative taken by Sanjay Kelkar. “We should give credit where credit is due” said Shah.

Speaking to Planet Thane, Satyajit Shah said, “It is unfortunate that no political heavyweight came forward to rescue Parshvanath College from closing. Nor was there any help forthcoming when the DTE refused to transfer students of 1st year engineering. Only Kelkar stood by us.”

As a gesture of appreciation of Kelkar’s efforts in helping the students, a few parents led by Satyajit Shah, went to the Kelkar’s office on February 2 to express their gratitude. A few books authored by Neelkant Khadilkar were presented to Kelkar together with Shreefal. The parents also thanked Sameer Nanivadekar, PRO of Parshvanath College for all the efforts he made in smooth transfer of the students.

He was presented with a book titled “Prakashvata” autographed by Dr.Prakash Amte and Mandatai Amte. Give Credit where Credit is due.