Part V: Ajmer: Far from the beaten path
We landed at Ajmer on January 7, 1958 after a brief stay of two days at Jodhpur. Rajasthan was a young state at that time and development projects in all sectors of the economy were gradually picking up steam. Qualified technical persons and professionals of almost all categories, were in incessant demand from all quarters. The need of the hour was to provide sufficient number of qualified persons at a brisk pace and to equip them with job oriented knowledge and skills, that could help them in pushing the wheels of ongoing processes of development. Principals of Government Polytechnics in Rajasthan had been declared as heads of departments by the state government, with almost full administrative, financial and academic powers in all matters related to their institutions, to enable them to work freely and to utilize their initiatives and drives for the growth and development of raw youth into dedicated and aspiring professionals.
Ajmer Polytechnic was scheduled to function from July 1958. Naturally, everything, including accomodation, equipment and staff had to be improvised immediately, for smooth functioning of the institution, without waiting for the development of permanent infrastructure, including land and buildings. Ajmer and some of its towns like Beawer had excellent educational institutions, but due to lack of higher institutions for technical and professional studies in the state, a large number of talented young boys were drawn to the newly established polytechnic at Ajmer. They were highly motivated young boys and they harboured high aspirations and expectations. The challenge for the institution was to provide to them adequate opportunities for involvement into all types of innovative and creative activities, which could serve as a springboard for launching them successfully in their professional careers and for ultimate realization of their nascent dreams.
Following chapters discuss these in detail:
- Long march from east to west
- Ajmer Merwara
- Settling down at Ajmer
- Opening day of Ajmer Polytechnic
- Early days of the institution
- Search for a permanent location
- Settling down at Makhupura
- Polytechnic starts ticking at Makhupura
- Getting into the groove
- Trip to Chittorgarh
- Mass participation in games and sports
- Passing out of first batch
- Sudden call from Jodhpur
- Shuttling between Jodhpur and Ajmer