Education is among the most significant requirements of a society. 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 the popular 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 dozens crippled for life. The pivotal sector of education too has taken a hit due to the ongoing agitation. With no end in sight to the ongoing crisis, the schooling of students has come to a complete halt. Normal schooling or even preparation for exams is a very rare possibility in the present gloomy situation. Even though an all party meet was called in order to address the situation, no breakthrough has been achieved so far and the anger among the people of Kashmir only seems to be growing. Nobody seems to know the way out.
Not wanting to put at stake the future of young children, the youth of Kashmir have launched an innovative and a timely initiative to provide some sought of reprieve to those seeking education while keeping in consideration the sacred freedom struggle of Kashmir. The youth have started community based coaching centers in their respective localities where education is being provided free of cost to the students. The response to this innovative scheme so far has been quiet impressive. These community based coaching centers are sufficing the need for education in these bleak times and this noble move by the youth of the valley has been appreciated and lauded by one and all. It is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
Given the continuous curfews in Kashmir, these education centers mainly operate either early in the morning or at evening. Many selfless people have been offering free tuition to the local students in these trying times. One such volunteer Azra Mufti says that in these difficult times, students should not suffer. She wants to do her bit and contribute to the society. Another volunteer Muzamil Maqbool is not only offering free tuition to the local students but has also offered free Wi-Fi to anyone who needs to use the internet. Syed Suhail Yaqoob, yet another volunteer, teaches some 100 students in his village Nazneenpora in the south Kashmir’s Shopian district. He says that enthusiastic students’ brave heavy deployment of security forces every morning to reach his place.
Efforts of the youth have proven that while we are in resistance as a nation, we are very well aware that we can neither compromise on our right to freedom nor can we compromise on providing our younger generation with a quality education. Community based coaching centers are helping us keep a balance in our struggle. Although it is true that the unabated killing spree that has been going on in our valley since past one month has disturbed us all, especially young children, it is also important for us to understand that education is the key to achieving our goals. A strong nation may be defeated by brute force but an intellectual nation is not only difficult to chain and destroy, it is almost indestructible.
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