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| Kashmir celebrates Teachers Day in grand style | | | Abbas Ali
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 5: Seemingly fed up of separatists , the people of Kashmir have started showing inclination towards the mainstream events, which are observed nationally across the country but would often remain a low key in this trouble torn region. In the latest, the Valley people celebrated Teachers Day today with fervor and enthusiasm.
Unlike the previous years when the event would be confined to celebrations at some schools or colleges, this year even the business community of Kashmir, which otherwise is often driven by separatist ideology, went with the mainstream event.
The hotels and restaurants of Kashmir offered special 10% percent discount to teachers for the day while transporters also offered concession to the teachers community. The decision in this regard was taken at a high level meeting of the business community that is into hospitality and protocol industry.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sheikh Ashiq Ahmed said the representatives of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurants' Owners' Federation (KHAROF) and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA) unanimously consented 10 percent discounts for teachers on Teachers Day.
A teacher said he went emotional that finally people in Kashmir started recognizing them. "This day has made me emotional and I really feel proud to a teacher. I was given discount," said a teacher who took his family for high tea to a restaurant.
Officials said the move has been taken as part of education department's campaign to "restore the dignity of the teachers across valley." They said it was only because of the personal intervention of Minister for education Naeem Akhtar that the initiative drew widespread response from business community. "Naeem Sahib personally explained to the business community the importance of the event in the country," said an official pleading anonymity.
Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Federation President G M Dug said society has a high regard for the teachers community for their contribution in education sector. "At present things are taking proper shape now and as part of society we must honor the teachers, Particularly on September 5 which is observed as Teachers' Day," Dug said.
Observers said this all has been a "paradigm shift" from "traditional separatist driven mentality in masses of Kashmir." While some of the Muslim seminaries continue to avoid any celebrations on the Teachers Day, the separatists often related the day with "Indian celebrations which need to be avoided."
The birth date, 5 September 1888, of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, is celebrated day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanks and remembrance.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher and statesman who was the first Vice President of India (1952-1962) and the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. He defended Hinduism against "uninformed Western criticism", contributing to the formation of contemporary Hindu identity.
It is for the second time in the past few months that winds of change are visible in Kashmir. Two months back when former President APJ Abdul Kalam passed away, his demise was widely mourned by people in Kashmir with radio stations airing special condolence programs wherein scores of listeners paid homage to the departed soul.
Prior to this, on May 21, hundreds of people, including females, celebrated the world Yoga Day in Kashmir with education department hosting mega celebrations at Bakshi Stadium where some 5000 children and their parents participated in the event. This was despite boycott call by separatists who wanted people not to go for Surya Namaskar. Observers hailed Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to briniging this change. "Mufti Sahib is a visionary who wants peace in Kashmir in harmony with the rest of India," said a retired official. |
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