Siliguri MLA seeks tribal university, sainik school in north Bengal
The Statesman | 4 September 2025During his meeting with the minister, Dr Ghosh stressed the need for establishing a National Tribal University and a National Sainik School in the region. He pointed out that districts like Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Alipurduar have a significant tribal population, which remains marginalised and deprived of opportunities. Setting up a National Tribal University focused on knowledge, skill and technology transformation in the Dooars area, he said, would help bring tribal youth into the mainstream and fulfil the inclusive vision of the National Education Policy, 2020.
He further suggested that a National Sainik School be set up in the Army Cantonment area near Siliguri. Such an institution, Dr. Ghosh argued, would nurture young minds in north Bengal and prepare them for careers in the armed forces, particularly given the presence of the Gorkha Regiment. He also highlighted that North Bengal University already offers defence studies at the undergraduate level, while its Centre for Himalayan Studies runs a postgraduate programme in defence and strategic studies.
Apart from these, Dr Ghosh put forward several other demands including the establishment of a Central University at Bidhannagar in Siliguri to serve the adjoining districts of North Bengal and neighbouring Bihar, a Central Library and language research centre at Haldibari, and a National Institute of Technology at Raiganj. He also sought the setting up of a National Agricultural, Sericulture and Pisciculture University with a livestock research centre at Jalpaiguri, a National Institute of Plantation at Lava in Kalimpong, and a Regional Corporate Resource Centre to train graduates for industry needs.
In addition, he pressed for more Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in the region, and the establishment of premier institutions like an Indian Institute of Management and another National Institute of Technology in North Bengal.
