Fine Arts College Students Left in Dust While CM Promises ‘Top-Notch Facilities’ Elsewhere

Shimla, Oct 18, Ritanjali Hastir

The Jawahar Lal Nehru Government College of Fine Arts in Shimla, located at Loharab, around 18 kilometers from the main town, was suppose to emerge as a hub for students passionate about painting, sculpture, music, and dance. However, despite its scenic surroundings and commitment to nurturing artistic talent, students are now facing major logistical challenges in commuting to the campus, with no buses or public transport serving the area. This lack of transportation, combined with the absence of nearby eateries, is causing significant inconvenience for the students, many of whom struggle to reach the college on time and are left with no options for food during their day. The surrounding jungle area and desolate conditions worsen the conditions especially for female students with security threats, and with winters approaching, things would turn more difficult only.

This situation stands in sharp contrast to the recent statements made by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu where he emphasized that his government’s priority is to enhance facilities at existing institutions rather than opening new ones. He announced several upgrades for RKMV, including converting classrooms into smart classrooms, constructing a new hostel, and providing a grant for a digital library. Apparently, the Fine Arts College didn’t get the memo. Rather the memo it received was of early inauguration, a photo-op opportunity with little care for the students. Instead, they’ve been blessed with the rare privilege of attending a college that’s practically unreachable—unless, of course, you have a personal helicopter or a fondness for long hikes.

However, students at the Fine Arts College feel neglected. Despite being an exclusive institution for fine arts in Himachal Pradesh, they face daily difficulties due to the lack of basic facilities, which hampers their education. The government’s focus on improving existing educational infrastructure, as mentioned by the CM, seems to fall short for institutions like this, where accessibility remains a significant issue.

The disparity between the government’s commitments and the reality faced by students at the Fine Arts College raises questions about the implementation of reforms in educational infrastructure across the state.

It’s almost poetic how the government speaks of “enhancing facilities” while some students are more concerned with figuring out how to commute and not starve. If there’s a future in making art out of absurdity, the students of Fine Arts College at Loharab are surely onto something big.