One of the common ways to remember and pay tributes to those who attained martyrdom for the sake of the country is naming public places, roads, institutions etc after them and in this connection, many schools shot into prominence in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as a result of a commendable decision taken in October 2021 by the Government as a sequel to the celebrations of “Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to this effect. Accordingly, only those schools, roads and buildings and in areas specific where such martyrs, eminent personalities and legends hailed from, were to be named after them. It also implies that whatever exists in such areas in respect of such institutions and things were to be named and accordingly records etc including the signage etc had to undergo necessary amends and changes. Such a gesture of the Government , as a natural corollary, enticed wide appreciation from all sections of the society.
To infuse the spirit in the people especially the younger generation of utmost dedication to one’s duty towards the country, adopting spirit of facing odds and difficulties that came in one’s pursuit to serve the nation, the spirit of bravery and bouncing back as also inculcate a culture to revere those who gave supreme sacrifice for the country, such measures as devised by the UT Government are surely going to leave an impact that such personalities, legends and martyrs deserve never to be forgotten by a beholden societal members. In fact, memorials need to be erected of such martyrs who demonstrated exemplary sense of duty, courage and bravery while discharging duties and attaining martyrdom. Annual events and intermittently organising of meets at such memorials involving younger members of the society would go a long way in remembering these heroes.
The other facet of the matter, however, is that there can be no doubt about the fact that institutions like schools should otherwise be provided with the basic facilities and requirements for the students studying and the teaching staff in these schools. However, there are number of such schools where female students are studying but where deficient facilities are galore even in context with having proper drinking and wash room facilities not to speak of there being an inviting ambiance and related infrastructure. Number of school buildings especially in rural and semi-urban areas either need immediate repairs or there is the dire need of a reasonably spacious building . However, while implementing the decision of naming such institutions of learning after the martyrs etc, proper facilities in such places should have been ensured to be in place beforehand.
It is unfortunately observed that at many such schools, conditions are such that even an amended signag /Board replacing the old one (generally non-existent) etc could not be fixed due to there being a mud hut or a dilapidated building housing such school. In case, it would have the position of one or two schools only still then it would not be justified for any reason whatsoever. That verily speaks of half -hearted measures taken in sensitive issues like the one under reference.
In other instances beyond changing the records, nothing new of the sort was visible on account of rechristening such schools. At least, on account of this important development , necessary facilities could have been provided. Agreed that the decision was taken only two months back and in the implementation process in full , some more time was needed but since naming exercise is done for obvious reasons , proper facelift, facilities and other infrastructure including a brief profile of the concerned martyr/ eminent personality should be prominently provided in each institution named written in local vernacular too which should be fairly visible also.
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