It’s my endeavour to give back children their childhood lost due to turmoil: Mehbooba

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said it is her endeavour to give back the children their childhood and smile, which they have been unfortunately robbed off due to continued turbulence and turmoil for the last three decades in the valley. Ms Mufti, who today formally launched the distribution of All Terrain Mountain Bikes among the eligible meritorious male students, handed over 100 such bikes to the students of various districts of Kashmir province.

Eventually, some 650 eligible meritorious students in the State would be getting these bikes under the scheme. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister directed holding of various extracurricular events at district, provincial and State level which would instill interest and confidence among the children.

Ms Mufti expressed satisfaction that educational scenario at the learning institutes has been improving over the past sometime. She complimented the teaching community for this and advised them to give special attention to the grooming of students as they (the teachers) have a greater impact on the psyche of students than their parents.

The Chief Minister said teacher-student relation is a sacred bonding which ought to be revived and strengthened. She said a teacher does not teach a group of students only, he is laying the foundation of a future generation also. She advised the Education Department for instituting annual awards for encouraging best performing teachers.

In his address, Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Bukhari said his Department is rolling out an annual calendar of extracurricular activities for students besides regular studies. He said his Department is holding a science exhibition soon which would give the students a platform to display their creative talent. He said the fortnightly train run-Vadi Ki Sair has been a huge attraction with the students and more features are being added to it.