WRITES::- SYED TAJAMUL ‘IMRAN’
“The best people in the world are those, who are helpful to others.” Dr, Iqbal (RA)
Education is among the significant fields of a country .A society is known to be well behaved only when it has education at its core. As we are very well aware that since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani, the situation in Kashmir has with every passing day gone from bad to worse. Scores of innocents have been killed, thousands injured and many other crippled for life.
But, the pivotal sector of education too has taken a hit due to the ongoing agitation with no ending to crisis seeming near. The schooling of students has come to complete halt due to the situation, conduct of exams and preparations to these exams look a very rare possibility such is the gloomy situation in the Kashmir valley. The educational institutions in state were closed for the annual summer break on July 1 across the Valley. The break scheduled to end on July 17 was then extended up to July 25 due to the agitation which has already taken 70 lives injuring thousands, including students. The crisis has been discussed even in Parliament of India as well as an All Parties meet was called in order to handle the situation but there seems no breakthrough in calming the angry kashmiries that seeks a political resolution of Jammu and Kashmir.
What is the way-out seems to be quiet a difficult question to one and all. Now to find some sought of reprieve the youth of Kashmir have launched an innovative and timely initiative to provide some sought of reprieve to those seeking education and also keep in consideration the sacred freedom struggle of Kashmir in mind. The youth have started community based coaching centers free of cost in their respective localities for the students and the response so far has been quiet impressive.
Without an iota of doubt, the need of education in these gloomy times has been to some extent being sufficed by these community based coaching centers, parents and students are all praise for this initiative and call it a great step and a step taken in right direction.
Apart from young and dedicated young and educated volunteers, All Jammu and Kashmir Students Union (AJKSU) has as a premier students body taken a lead in not only providing education in these community education centers via its volunteers, but also has established many such centers throughout the length and breadth of violence hit valley of Kashmir. AJKSU and the bodies like it are with every passing day widening the net of such education centers.
Keeping in view the ever grave situation of Kashmir in mind these education centers mainly operate at early morning and evening times, and students brave the heavy deployment of security forces to reach to these community based education centers. Apart from religious and civil societies, Pro Freedom Parties have also asked youth to take the initiative in opening more and more such education centers. Following this, several such centers have opened up where youth are teaching children in every nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir.
One such volunteer is Azra Muftia member of All J&K Students Union who teaches Management, English and all subjects’ up to class 1oth. “A message to all students, In these times of conflict and struggle, students should not suffer at all. I would like to contribute my bit. Any student who is interested in free tuitions can surely contact me. Free coaching for all the subjects will be provided and those who have Internet access will be provided material online. Let’s take a step towards change. Drop a message here keep sharing.” Reads her facebook post.
Another Such Volunteer is Muzamil Maqbool. Who teaches English, Political science and all subjects’ up to class 1oth. “If anyone is interested in tuition classes for 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th for English and political science can come to my home. I will try to cover the syllabus asap (free of cost) and would be happy to offer tea and free WIFI.” Reads his Facebook post.
Syed Suhail Yaqoob a scholar and a formal member of AJKSU believes that apart from present sutivation lot of kashmiri students can’t afford private tuition so in future it should be done on a large scale. Suhail who currently teaches Around 100 students from class 1-12th at his home in a far-flung village Nazneenpora of south kashmir’s Shopian Distt. “It took time to channelise these classes, but now students come themselves as they hear about free classes.”
Meanwhile All J&K Students Union on their official facebook account having more than 4k followers have released a list of their Members with their residence and phone numbers, who are teaching children’s across the valley free of cost in order to reach out to students.
On July 20, the government in first phase announced to open the schools in Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal districts and in second move before some days Education Minister of state Nayeem Akhter seeks co-operation of parents to re-open schools. The response, however, from both teachers and students was discouraging due to the continuous shutdowns and curfew.
It is great shame that imposers of curfew and cordon for last 41 days are also ‘missing’ school kids and calling them for the morning assemblies.
While we are in resistance as a nation we are very well aware that we cannot neither compromise the our right to resist and on the same hand we as a nation are also motivated to give our future of nation a quality education which will keep our nation a balanced nation. But in the same time if we talk to any student of any class from 1st to 12th they only talk about slogans and also talk to have a lesson on Kashmir history.
Since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani, sentiments have increased among youth in general and students in particular.
A for Aazadi
B for Burhan
C for Curfew
They knew it all by themselves & when I asked a question “Do you know, who is Burhan?” to one of my student of class 4th who comes to study nowadays to my home. The answer was “I want to be like him one day. Everyone will talk about me.”
With this couplet of Dr. Iqbal (RA) I pray for all those who were killed in current agitation in Kashmir. May Almighty Allah Grant all of them the highest place in Jannah where noble souls actually belong.
“Oh Allah bless the youth with graciousness of supplications of dawn and bestow strength to these kids of falcon to take a flight.”
Lastly, Anyone from my area south kashmir’s distt shopian worried about the tuition, I offer my voluntary services to teach English, Urdu, History, Political Science, Maths, etc up to class 10th and any subject of Management up to Masters. I am sure many more volunteers will come forward.
Bio: ‘Syed Tajamul Imaran’ is a Student activist, President at All J&K Students Union (AJKSU), Pursuing MBA, With the Dream of Breaking the Status Quo. He tweets as @sydtajamulimran and can be reached at syedtajamul09@gmail.com.
