Abdul Rashid Khan
Kashmir has always remained a hub of learning from the time immemorial. Whether it was Kanshika’s time or Hindu period, Kashmir was a known place for learning. Kashmir got its global fame when international Buddihst conference was held at Harwan Srinagar. Also the Sharda Peth was the highest seat of learning for the people having Hindu faith. With the advent of Islam in Kashmir, the teachings of mankind and brotherhood further strengthened Sufism and spiritualism in Kashmir. The Sayeeds who accompanied Hazrat Mir Sayeed Ali Hamdani, traveled to the nook and corner of the valley with one purpose to enlighten the people with their knowledge and learning.
In post 1947 period, Shiekh Mohammed Abdullah took personal interest in spreading the modern education by establishing schools and few colleges in the city and laid much emphasis on the quality of education. His contribution in laying the foundation of SKIMS Soura is praise worthy. Besides being the prestigious medical institute it also serves as the research centre for the medical students. Bhakshi Ghulam Mohd. also contributed towards the professional education in the valley and laid foundation of GMC and REC in Srinagar. His education minister G.M Sadiq was a man of letters, an educationist and voracious reader who had preserved a good collection of books. The services rendered by the teachers belonging to Pandit community in education sector is unforgettable. They took the teachings as a service to the society and not as a trade. Due to their displacement to other parts of country, the education in Kashmir temporarily suffered for some time. Whatever shape the political situation took place in the valley since 1947, the education spread and flourished with each passing day. But unfortunately the education sector got a sever dent and received a great set back with the onset of militancy in 1990. During this period, not only the bridges but number of schools were torched and became the soft target of destruction for anti social elements and the graph of education fell to the lowest ebb. The teachers in higher education institutions and officers at Thesil and district level in school education became the victims of terror and were forced to obey dictates of gun wielding militants. The last decade of 20th century was the darkest period so far as the education is concerned. However with the installation of popular government in 1996 the education sector which had derailed, steadily started picking up. But the unrest of 2016 did a great damage to the smooth functionng of education system in the valley besides hitting hard the tourism and trade sectors. The logo of Kashmir university “Inaz zulmati minan noor—-from darkness to light” itself highlights the essence of learning and acquiring knowledge. So the education is very important for every person in a civilized society. The recent burning of 31 schools by miscreants and anti social elements is really shocking. By their such criminal acts they not only razed the school buildings to ground but have also played with the career of thousands of students. They have actually pushed our future generation into the deep sea of darkness. In Kashmir there are some forces who are always averse to peace and bent on exploiting the adverse situation in their favor by vandalizing the forests, constructing illegal structures by encroaching upon state land and disturbing the echo balance and environment by filling up wetland and lakes. They create a situation of lawlessness which suits them to meet thier nefarious designs. A small ray of hope was rekindled by a person none other than the education minister who took a hard stance to hold the 10th and 12th exams in time. By doing so he has ultimately proved himself to be correct. The mass participation of students in the examination has vindicated his sense of sincerity and dedication for the growth and need for education sector. He himself being the son of a teacher and grand son of a noted poet Late Gh. Rasool Nazki from mother’s side has a passion and love for learning and teaching. The education minister has ultimately succeeded in his efforts and therefore needs a word of appreciation from students and their parents. But this could not have been possible without the support of police who made excellent security arrangements at and around examination centers and therefore they also deserve a bunch of accolades.
There is no dearth of talent in Kashmir. The Kashmiri students have always made a mark at national as well as international level. Recently the Tazumul Islam a 7 year old girl and Hasim a 6 year old boy from Bandipur brought laurels by winning gold in kick boxing and judo Karaty championship and made both state as well country proud. Every person from all walks of life including civil society had vehemently condemned the setting of schools on fire. The criminals responsible for such acts need to be brought to book without any loss of time. The Police though claims to have arrested few criminals responsible for arson but need to trace all these cases on priority basis to restore the confidence of public by exposing such elements. The government also needs to constitute a special court to try such cases so that these are decided in stipulated period of time. The state police is a very professional and is among few police forces of the country who have earned colors for professionalism in 2003. The public have therefore pinned a lot of hope on them.
(The author is former IGP)
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