Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University (JRDU; formerly Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University) is a public state government university in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was established in 2001 by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya as an educational institution for disabled people. In 2022, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya expressed his intention to make the University into a UP state government. He suggested UP CM Yogi Adityanath ji takeover this University as State Public University. In June 2023, Uttar Pradesh government accorded status of State government university by passing Law in UP State assembly i.e. The Uttar Pradesh Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyang State University. Act, 2023 under Department of Divyangjan under which 50 percent of Divyang students and 50 percent of other students can be admitted to the University. It was the only university in the world exclusively for disabled people until the establishment of Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India).[1][3][4]

Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University
Former name
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University
Motto in English
The duty of service is most difficult
Established27 September 2001
ChancellorJagadguru Rambhadracharya
Vice-ChancellorProf. Shishir Kumar Pandey
Students1100[1][2]
Location
Chitrakoot
,
Uttar Pradesh
,
India

25°11′43.99″N 80°52′21.31″E / 25.1955528°N 80.8725861°E / 25.1955528; 80.8725861
CampusUrban
AffiliationsUGC, AIU, NAAC
Websitewww.jrdu.ac.in
Map
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University is located in Uttar Pradesh
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University
Location in Uttar Pradesh
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University is located in India
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University (India)
The main building of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University

History

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On 23 August 1996, Swami Rambhadracharya established the Tulasi School for the Blind in Chitrakoot.[5][6] After this, he decided to establish an institution of higher learning solely for disabled students. With this aim, he founded the Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University on 27 September 2001 in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh.[7][5][6] The foundation stone was laid on 2 April 2001. The university was inaugurated by Rajnath Singh on 26 July 2011.[8] The planned name was Chitrakoot Handicapped University (CHU), but later Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University was chosen.[9][10] It is run by the Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Viklang Shikshan Sansthan trust.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

Formation

The university was founded initially by the JRHU ordinance, enacted by the governor of Uttar Pradesh on 7 August 2001. The ordinance was replaced by the JRHU Act passed on 5 October 2001. The act appointed Jagadguru Rambhadracharya as the lifelong chancellor of JRHU. Classes began on 23 August 2001. In 2002, it was granted membership in the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi.[17]

Support

The Government of Uttar Pradesh[3] and the University Grants Commission (UGC)[4] supported the creation and continuation of the university. The registrar, Avanish Chandra Mishra, said that they received help from Rehabilitation Council of India for course development in subjects such as Information Technology, Teacher Training Programme, Fine Art, and Music.[18] The university has been declared eligible to receive central assistance under section 12(b) of UGC Act 1956.[3][11]

Logo

 
The top portion of the entrance of JRHU with the logo of the university

The logo of the university represents the four types of disability (visual, hearing, physical and mental impairment), along with the Sanskrit motto। सेवाधर्मः परमगहनः। (IAST: sevādharmaḥ paramagahanaḥ, meaning "the duty of service is extremely difficult") and the photograph of the lifelong chancellor.[17]

Admission

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The university offers graduate, post-graduate and doctorate degrees in many subjects. Admissions are restricted to the four types of disabled students: visually impaired, hearing impaired, mobility impaired and mentally impaired, as defined by the Disability Act (1995) of the Government of India.[3][19][20] The majority of students are from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, followed by other states such as Assam, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand.[21]

 
Student residence hall
Placement Center

To assist its students in selecting appropriate courses and/or programmes and getting placements based on their performances, JRHU has a placement center. The centre also arranges capsule training programmes to help youth for proper rehabilitation.[18]

Distance Education

To reach out to students with limited mobility, the university offers distance education programs online, recognised by the Distance Education Council, IGNOU, New Delhi. Like other programs at the university, these are available only for disabled people.[17][22]

Name of courses Duration
B.C.A. 3 years
M.C.A. 2 years
B.B.A. 3 years
M.B.A. 3 years
B.A. 3 years
M.A. 2 years
P.G.D.C.A. 1 year
D.C.A. 1 year
P.G.D.B.M. 1 year

Accessibility

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JRHU was designed to ensure greater accessibility for disabled people to higher education.[3] Students are provided with a disabled-friendly campus and classrooms, at an affordable cost.[17] Courses in basic Sanskrit and computer skills are mandatory.[23][7][17] Courses are available in Braille for visually impaired students. Hostel facility meeting special needs of disabled students is provided, including those of the visually and hearing impaired.[7][3][17] Hostel facility is provided in the university and Tulsi Peeth, a religious and social service institution established by Rambharacharya.[21]

All facilities of the university such as the classrooms, hostel, laboratory, and others are accessible and adapted for disabled people.[24] An International Ramcharitmanas Research Center is in the university.[25]

Courses

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The university offers many degrees. Bachelor's and master's degrees are provided in Sanskrit, Hindi, English, Sociology, Music, Drawing & Painting, History, Culture & Archaeology. Other courses include MSW (Master of Social Work), B.Mus., BFA (Bachelor in Fine Art), B.Ed., M.Ed. Special, B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education), M.Ed. (Master of Education) (Hearing Impairment & Visual Impairment), BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), PGDIT (Post-graduate Diploma in Information Technology), DIT (Diploma in Information Technology), Diploma in Photography & Video Shooting, Diploma in Handmade Paper, Law (five-year integrated course), BPO (Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics) condensed course, BPO (Bachelor in Prosthetics & Orthotics) five-year integrated course and B.A. courses in psychology.[26][8][27][28]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b Von Silvia Kaiser, Marie Fredrich (13 April 2012). "Indien: Die Uni nur für Behinderte". ARTE Reportage (in German). ARTE TV. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2012. Diese himmelschreiende Ungerechtigkeit brachte einen blinden Guru auf die Idee, 2001 eine Universität nur für Behinderte zu gründen – einmalig in der Welt.
  2. ^ Durg, City Reporter (30 October 2011). "नेत्रहीन आचार्य की भागवत कथा आज से" [Bhagavata Katha by visually impaired preceptor starts today] (in Hindi). Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India: Dainik Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011. आयोजकों ने बताया कि आचार्य श्री चित्रकूट में विकलांगों की यूनिवर्सिटी चलाते हैं। जहां करीब दो हजार विकलांग बच्चे निशुल्क उच्च शिक्षा ग्रहण कर रहे हैं।
  3. ^ a b c d e f Subhash, Tarun (3 July 2005). "A Special University for Special Students: UP does a first – it establishes the country's first exclusive university for physically and mentally disabled students". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b Dikshit, Ragini (10 July 2007). "चित्रकूट: दुनिया का प्रथम विकलांग विश्वविद्यालय" [Chitrakuta: The world's first handicapped university] (in Hindi). Jansatta Express.
  5. ^ a b Aneja, Mukta; Eyeway Team (2005), "Shri Ram Bhadracharyaji – A Religious Head With A Vision" (PDF), Abilities Redefined – Forty Life Stories Of Courage And Accomplishment, All India Confederation of the Blind, pp. 66–68, archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2011, retrieved 25 April 2011
  6. ^ a b Correspondent, Chitrakut (5 January 2011). "प्रज्ञाचक्षु की आंख बन गई बुआ जी" [Buaji became the eye of the visually impaired] (in Hindi). Jagran Yahoo. Retrieved 24 June 2011. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ a b c Shubhra (12 February 2010). "जगद्गुरु रामभद्राचार्य विकलांग विश्वविद्यालय" [Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University] (in Hindi). Bhāratīya Pakṣa. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  8. ^ a b "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University" (PDF). Singapore: Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas. 7 March 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  9. ^ Mukherjee, Sutapa (10 May 1999). "A Blind Sage's Vision: A Varsity For The Disabled At Chitrakoot". Outlook. 5. New Delhi, India. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya". Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Vikalang Seva Sangh". Archived from the original (DOC) on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  12. ^ "Education". jrhu.8m.net. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  13. ^ Government of Uttar Pradesh, Department of Information Technology and Electronics. "सूचना का अधिकार अधिनियम २००५: अनुक्रमणिका" [Right to Information Act 2005: Index] (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  14. ^ "Home". Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  15. ^ Sinha, R. P. (1 December 2006). E-Governance in India: initiatives & issues. New Delhi, India: Concept Publishing Company. p. 104. ISBN 9788180693113.
  16. ^ Gupta, Amita; Kumar, Ashish (6 July 2006). Handbook of universities. New Delhi, India: Atlantic Publishers and Distributors. p. 395. ISBN 9788126906086.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University". Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  18. ^ a b "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University, Chitrakoot, U.P., India". Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  19. ^ Government of Uttar Pradesh, Department of Information Technology and Electronics. "कम्प्यूटर शिक्षा" [Computer Education] (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  20. ^ SNB, Chitrakut (15 January 2011). "रामभद्राचार्य विवि का दीक्षांत समारोह - राजनाथ सिंह डीलिट की उपाधि से सम्मानित" [Convocation of Rambhadracharya Handicapped University – Rajnath Singh awarded honorary DLitt] (in Hindi). Rashtriya Sahara. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  21. ^ a b Upadhyay, Rakesh (10 September 2006). "जगद्गुरु स्वामी रामभद्राचार्य की अनूठी विकलांग सेवा" [Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya's unique work for disabled] (in Hindi). Panchjanya. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Distance Education Centre (Recognized by DEC, IGNOU New Delhi)". Shri Tulsi Peeth Seva Nyas. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  23. ^ "About JRHU". Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. Archived from the original on 4 July 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  24. ^ "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University – Chitrakoot, Karwi". Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  25. ^ Rāmabhadrācārya, Jagadguru (2011). Gitaramayanam (PDF). Chitrakoot: International Ramcharitmanas Research Center, Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  26. ^ "Courses Offered". Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  27. ^ "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University, Chitrakoot". Bundelkhand.in. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  28. ^ "Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University, Karwi, Uttar Pradesh". Questionpaper.in. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
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