Shafi for developing scientific temper in students                                            < News Line


SRINAGAR, JULY 11- The Minister for Education, Mr. Mohammad Shafi today said that the objective of providing basic education to every child has grately been achieved with the launching of Rehabr-e- Taleem Programme in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Sahfi was speaking at the operation of the Provincial Level Science Exhibition at State Institute of Education, Srinagar. The exhibition is a culmination of District Level Science Exhibition organized by various D.I.E.Ts of the valley.
Mr. Shafi said that presently the education department is able to touch even the remotest part of the State and is providing school education to the children belonging to even the most backward areas.
"The need of the hour is to develop scientific temper in the students. It is the age of science, which has converted the world into a global village. Next generation which is getting trained for their future in our schools should be able to cope up with the present scenario", Mr. Shafi said.
The Minister added that the phased introduction of computer education as a subject in higher secondary schools is a prominent step government is taking in this regard. With this every child who will pass out his schooling would be a computer literate before joining the graduation course. Later these students could professionalise themselves in any field easily as computer has become a basic necessity everywhere,he said.
Mr. Shafi said that the exhibition of this kind would help cultivating the feeling of being innovative and experimental in our students. They will grow up with the scientific bent of mind, he said and added that a very important aspect of such exhibitions is that they are making the students environmental countious. He appreciated the models made by students and next generation would understand the necessity of protecting natural resources and environment, which is essential for sustainance of human race.
Mr. Shafi lauded the efforts of teachers and students for providing excellent models and said that such exhibitions should be given all kinds of encouragement.
In all, 42 models on various themes were presented in the exhibition. Many a models, depicted the scientific applications which could be used for making day to day life easy and to bring science closer to the society. The models were from various Government and Recognized Private Higher, High and Middle Schools of the Valley including Kargil district.

Mother - My inspiration.Abdul Rahim Rather                                                    < News Line

When Allah decided to give human form to limitless love and affection which would be absolutely selfless and sacrificing, He created a mother. I consider myself personally fortunate to have been blessed with two mothers by the creator; one who gave me birth and the other who blessed me with all the maternal affection and guidance that can never be repaid. That benevolent mother to me has been Madre Meharban Begum Sher-e- Kashmir. I owe my public and political being to her. I deem it my filial duty to record some of my personal experiences with that great human soul.

I belong to Charar-e-Sharief Assembly segment of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency. Mt family has been traditional followers of Jenab Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah whose ideology, idealism and statesmanship has been the bedrock of this following and affiliation. All through my childhood I have been amused by stories of Sheikh Sahib's deepest commitment to his people and land. The childhood memories left an indelible imprint on my mind and I would later always ensure presence at his public meetings. I have been greatly benefited by his lofty idealism and would often sit through such speeches which sometimes stretched to late hours. A strange sense of enrichment and contentment filled my being whenever I attended such public meetings.

After obtaining a degree in law, I got busy with setting up a private practice at Srinagar bar. It was during those tumultuous days that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ended the emergency and announced Parliamentary elections in the Country. The National Conference decided to field Madre-Meharban, Begum Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah as the party candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary seat. In pursuance to the advice of my elders I had by then started working as a National Conference activist. It was a period when a group of young and energetic followers were emerging in the National Conference. Despite the fact that my profession had acquainted me with most people of my area, there were still pockets even in my own district to whose people I was a total stranger. It was in such area that I realized the mesmerizing effect the mention of her name made on the masses. I must admit that through such references, both of Sheikh Sahib and Madre Meharban, I created a niche among the people of my area. It was my good fortune that I was entrusted with Begum Sahiba's election campaign in Charar-e-Sharief Assembly segment. In fact, this was a watershed that catapulted me into public life. Even though Begum Sahiba could never make it to visit our Assembly segment, but her election campaign gave me the opportunity to address public meetings, which were organized in her honour. My speeches rendered basically in her support, endeared me to the local people. Those days a young and energetic youth, Sheikh Muzzaffar, who was the son of Sheikh Abdul Rashid used to drive party campaigners including myself in his private car. He would sometimes tell partymen, "Allow Rather Sahib to say a few words". Cruel hands of death later snatched this talented young man from us through a tragic road accident.

When results came in after the polls, my joy knew no bounds to learn that Begum Sahiba had swept 85% votes from my segment. All this despite the fact that she had not visited the segment even once! Another history was in the making in the State around this period. The Congress party decided to withdraw the support extended to Sheikh Sahib in the State Assembly. The Congress had a limited objective. They wanted to wrest power back from Sheikh Sahib, who, however, used his constitutional option and recommended dissolution of the State Assembly and holding of fresh polls to the State Governor. The then Governor dissolved the State Assembly and ordered fresh elections.

Sheikh Sahib decided that besides some old veterans of the party, the National Conference candidates for the Assembly elections must be chosen from among the younger generation who could make the future leadership of the party. After compiling lists of probable candidates, proper interviews were held by the party high command. These interviews were held at party's Mujahid Manzil Headquarters. When my turn for the interview came, I found Sheikh Sahib, Mirza Muhammad Afzal Beg, Khwaja Ghulam Muhammad Shah and the then party General secretary Khwaja Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah at the other side of the table where I was a probable party candidate. I was asked questions on constitution and party matters and Beg Sahib asked me a few questions regarding Article 370.

When the final list of party candidates was announced, my name was in it. I was happy, but continued praying that the trust reposed in me gets vindicated. I started my election campaign in the right earnest, but suddenly the news of Sheikh Sahib's illness spread like wild fire in the State. All our public meetings were converted into mass prayers for his speedy recovery. With Sheikh Sahib unable to attend the party poll campaign the responsibility fell directly on Madre Meharban. She was the only guarantee of success for the National Conference candidates. When she arrived in my Assembly constituency a sea of humanity turned out to receive her. She mesmerized her audience and held them spellbound for hours. During the course of one such public meeting she held my hand and said, "This young man has been chosen by Shere-Kashmir to represent you. I am confident he shall serve you well and also remain loyal to Sheikh Sahib." I still remember sweat running down my spine when she made such an assurance to the people.

With Allah's blessings, the National Conference swept the Assembly polls. All the opponents of Sheikh Sahib were forced to bite dust in those elections.

Another testing time came about in the year 1983. It was first time for the National Conference to go to the people without the physical presence of Jenab Sheikh Sahib. After the death of the Qaid, the Congress threw in all its weight to defeat the National Conference. They believed that the towering presence of the late Sheikh Sahib was no longer there and the National Conference might not be able to stand its ground without him. Opponents of the National Conference made a crucial mistake. They forgot that the legacy and power of Sheikh Sahib continued in the person of Madre Meharban. She came to my constituency and delivered an even more benevolent public address in my favour. The people were seeing Begum Sahiba first time after Sheikh Sahib's death. Their love and reverence for her had been redoubled.

I especially remember one such occasion. After concluding a public meeting at Karimabad, Pulwama, which continued late in the evening, we reached Maulana Azad Road residence of Begum Sahiba late with her. I recall the words uttered by her son Sheikh Nazir Ahmad when he saw her reach home at such late hours. He told us, "If you continue to bother her with such rigours what shall happen to us?" Begum Sahiba overheard Nazir Sahib and returned into the room. She said, "Why are you angry with them? It was my decision and you must realize that if I had a hectic schedule, so have these people." Nazir Sahib informed her that her next day's schedule was to start just after four hours, she had to attend another public meeting. She smiled and said, "I shall do that also, do not worry."

Today Madre Meharban is no longer with us. I fondly remember her bestowing personality and selfless affection. I am often choked with emotion when I think of her. The mother who gave me birth had passed away when I was hardly two years old. I, therefore, missed her affection and love. Madre Meharban filled this void in my life. She would often ask me to pray to Allah for the straight path that would lead me into the people's service. When I called on her during later years, she would always say, "I am happy with you. I hear good reports about you. Continue doing service to the poor. The real road to people's hearts and minds always exists in their service."

Madre Meharban was opposed to personal intervention in official matters. She always maintained a respectable distance from administrative matters. If ever she put in a favourable word for somebody it was for the poor and the needy. She took solace in recitation of the Holy Quran. Her prayers would often be for Kashmiri people and betterment of the State. Today she is resting in peace and tranquillity, but her memories often stir me to emotions and make my soul restless. My only consolation during such trying times has been the thought of her benevolent hand, which she often placed at my head and prayed for me. That sweetness shall always continue to permeate my body and soul.
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The author is the Finance Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.


CM condemns killing of Shaheen's brother                                                       < News Line

SRINAGAR, JULY 11- Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has condemned the killing of Mr Nazir Ahmed Sofi, the brother of Mr Abdul Rasheed Shaheen, MP.
Expressing shock and anguish over the killing, the Chief Minister described as unfortunate the picking of soft targets by militants to further their nefarious agenda. Killing of innocents is a grave crime against the civilized society, he added.
Dr Abdullah conveyed his condolences to Mr Shaheen and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family.
He also expressed shock over the death of a woman in the grenade attack by militants at Khanyar today.

DGP reviews security scenario and Amarnath Yatra arrangements.                  < News Line

Srinagar, July 11- The Director General of Police, Mr. A. K. Suri reviewed law and order and security situation at a meeting of senior police officers held here today. Security and other arrangements related to Amarnath Yatra were also reviewed.
While the DGP expressed satisfaction over the counter-insurgency operations as also over the security arrangements made in the wake of Amarnath Yatra, he called upon the officers to maintain utmost vigil round the clock so as to pre-empt the wicked designs of the enemy. "Nothing should be left to chance", he cautioned them.
The DGP also took stock of welfare measures, construction activities, traffic and modernization/upgradation.
The meeting was attended by ADGP (Hqrs), Mr. Rajan Bakshi, ADGP (Armed), Mr. Gopal Sharma, ADGP (CID), Mr. Kuldeep Khoda, IGP Kashmir Zone, Mr. Ashok Bhan, IGP Traffic, Mr. M. S. Wani and IGP Security/Modernisation, Mr. M. A. Bhat.

< News Line