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| Official functions held amidst mourning | | Oops! JK forgets Kalam | | Abdul Majid
Early Times Report
srinagar, July 30: Even as the Government of India announced a seven-day mourning to mark former president APJ Abdul Kalam's death, the JK government has not abandoned even a single function during the mourning period.
The irony is that the official handouts ensure that the functions get maximum publicity in local newspapers.
On July 27 the government announced the weeklong mourning. "The Government of India announces with profound sorrow the death of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India at Bethany Hospital, Shillong at 1945 hours, today. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, seven days state mourning will be observed throughout India from 27 July 2015 to 2 August 2015, both days inclusive," an official communiqué said. The official announcement also said that there will be no "official entertainment". This includes official dinners or functions, and other activities.
Though the JK government too declared a seven-day state mourning, "celebrations" on the ground revealed a different picture.
On July 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages here inaugurated a 3-day workshop on Kashmiri language where podium was decorated and guests greeted. "In connection with promoting of Kashmiri language and to give motivation to the new generation for learning of Kashmiri language, 3-days workshop regarding ''Dictation for writing Kashmiri Language'' was organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages here today," an official handout said.
"The Vice Chancellor of Central University Kashmir, Prof. Miraj-ud-Din inaugurated the workshop and said that the identity of nation is proved by its mother tongue and we should try to preserve our mother tongue," it added.
The academy also organized a painting competition at the hill resort of Yusmarg.
A day after Kalam's demise, the department of Education, Bandipora in collaboration with State Resource Centre (University of Kashmir) organized a Literacy Rally in Bandipora district. "The rally comprising officers, officials, Block Coordinators, Preraks of Saakshar Bharat Mission and the students was flagged off by Chief Education Officer Bandipora A.H. Kumar from Nishat Park Bandipora and concluded at Higher Secondary School, Kaloosa Bandipora," the official handout said.
A daylong Education Conference was held in district Shopian. The official handout said the Conference was organized by Chief Education Officer Shopian.
The Principals of High, Higher Secondary Schools, Zonal Education Officers, senior citizens and school children participated in the conference.
"Deputy Commissioner Shopian, G.M. Dar on the occasion impressed upon all the officers of Education department to put in their best effort in improving the overall education scenario in the District," an official handout said.
On July 30, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Department of Health and Medical Education organized a daylong workshop on National Standards in Family Planning and quality assurances here.
"Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Asiya Naqash inaugurated the workshop. Addressing the participants, the Minister highlighted the Family Welfare Programmes under implementation in the State," an official handout said.
"Deputy Commissioner Family Planning Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. S.K. Sikdar, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Baldev R Sharma, Mission Director, NHM, Dr. Yash Paul also spoke on the occasion," the handout said.
But a senior official asking not to be identified said all the functions were held without any "big celebrations." "We didn't offer any lunch or dinner but only snacks were served," said an official in the cultural academy.
Another official said postponement of scheduled functions would have been difficult. "We thought to keep the functions a low key affair than to postpone them on the whole," the official said. "Moreover there was no problem or violation of mourning in these events," he added.
But critics are up in arms saying it was embarrassing for the entire nation. "At a time when even the Parliament has suspended the normal business how could you undertake any celebrations or functions, where podium were decorated and guests given reception?" said a retired bureaucrat adding the "JK response has been insulting." |
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