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Amid unrest Govt struggles to prepare school children for ID celebrations
8/3/2016 11:15:39 PM
Early Times Report

Srinagar, Aug 3: Amid ongoing unrest in Kashmir, the coalition government is struggling to resume schooling ahead of the August 15, Independence Day celebrations, when schoolchildren perform cultural shows at the main function held at Bakshi Stadium here.
Officials said the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan on August 2, while chairing a high level meeting here at his office directed the District Commissioners of the province to resume schooling ahead of the celebrations either by "hook or crook."
Though the meeting pertained to general review of situation in Kashmir, officials said resumption of schooling dominated the discourse while apart from others even the officers from the Public Health Engineering Department and the Power Development Department were asked to utilize their good offices to attract schoolchildren for the event.
"Initially we wondered why Div Com was discussing schooling with engineers and doctors but then we realized it was for the Independence Day celebrations," said a group of technocrats privy to the meeting.
Officials expressed serious concern that by now preparedness for the cultural shows should have been started but that the ongoing situation was preventing the government from doing so.
Officials said participation of schoolchildren who perform colorful programs has been of vital importance for the celebrations of the Independence Day and that this tradition needs to be upheld.
"Schoolchildren have been a part of the Independence Day celebrations even during 90s when militancy was at its peak. So this tradition cannot be broken," the officials said.
Reliable sources said that the government is trying to rope in around 200 students through Cultural Wing of the School Education Department whereas concerned District Commissioners have been asked provide logistic support.
Sources said given the absence of public transport in the ongoing unrest, the government is planning to offer transportation, boarding and lodging to the schoolchildren who turn up for the Independence Day celebrations.
Sources said a decision to rope in schoolchildren for the event was taken after a meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her cabinet colleagues including Education Minister Naeem Akhter.
Sources said initially it was expected that Naeem Akhter, being the Education Minister would personally manage to rope in students to perform at the cultural shows scheduled for the event.
"But stoning of his cavalcade in Bandipora has hampered such prospects. Otherwise he would manage brining in some students from his hometown," said a source.
Subsequently Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has been assigned the task to rope in school children for the cultural show.
Even though the government has formally called off the summer vacations, schools are yet to resume functioning in restive Kashmir, which has been on boil since July 8, when Hizb commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed.
Despite repeated attempts the Divisional Commissioner Baseer Khan could not be contacted for comments. But a senior official said the government was on the job.
"Getting schoolchildren for the August 15 celebrations is our top priority and we are at the job.
The preparations for cultural programs will start soon," the official said asking not to be identified.
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