HISTORY OF SCIENCE COLLEGE LOCATED IN THE HEAR OF JAMMU

LAVIKA JAIN || Over a century on, the sheen may be off its buildings but Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, formerly Prince of Wales College, continues to shine bright in science education.

Located in the heart of Jammu, the college is a legacy of the bygone era of undivided India and shows the foresight of the rulers of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Spread over 58 acres and surrounded by lush vegetation, the college dates back to 1904. Then Dogra ruler Maharaja Pratap Singh announced the setting up of the Prince of Wales College to commemorate the visit of the then Prince of Wales and future King George V, George Frederick Ernest Albert, to Jammu.

The college started functioning with 26 students on April 20, 1907 with old civil secretariat and a princely property, with professor RN Mukherjee officiating as the first principal.

The foundation stone of the present campus was laid on July 1904 by the then resident of Kashmir, Sir Francis Young Husband. It was affiliated to Punjab University, Lahore, in May 1908.

The college was shifted to the present campus on September 18, 1912, with professor S Robson as the principal.

“At that time, there was no institution for higher studies in Jammu and its periphery. Students had to go to Lahore for higher education,” says Satinder Singh, 59, who is serving his third stint as principal and is the oldest teacher on the campus.
It was only after India’s independence that the college was renamed Government Gandhi Memorial Science College.

Design and cost
It is said that Maharaja Pratap Singh selected British army officer, colonial engineer and Jaipur-based architect, Sir Sameul Swinton Jacob, to design the campus. Based on his design, the state engineer estimated the cost of the proposed buildings to be Rs 4.53 lakh. But the then state government felt this was too high. Consequently, the then divisional engineer with state public works department revised the designs and the cost of construction was brought down to Rs 1.21 lakh.

Though the revised design reduced the total floor area, it didn’t alter the architectural features of the design by Sir Jacob.

It took about three years to construct the college.

The institution, which qualifies to be declared a heritage one, lies in a different situation and urgently needs preservation and maintenance. “In 2015, there was a University Grants Commission scheme to provide financial assistance to restore buildings that are more than 100 years old. The college submitted a proposal for financial assistance to the UGC but it is yet to be declared a heritage institution,” says Singh.

The college has also submitted a proposal of Rs 5.37 crore to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in February but things are moving at a snail’s pace, he says.

“This institution provides an ideal atmosphere for teaching and learning. Despite being located in the heart of the city, it is free from noise and pollution, a pre-requisite for effective education. Even the saplings, which have grown into trees, were brought from the United Kingdom,” he says.
The principal says the college is a big draw with youngsters because of its reputation in academics, faculty, campus and tradition.

“We want to develop this college as a hub of scientific education. Our endeavour is to provide students world class education, while grooming them to become good human beings,” he says and adds with pride, “Many from our National Cadet Corps unit have gone on to join the armed forces.”

Talking of the school’s alumni, Singh says, “An elderly visiting professor came all the way from Canada along with his family. He wanted to see his classroom, labs and library. It was such a great feeling for us. He showed his children the entire campus. It was sheer nostalgia.”