A slogan used by soldiers,“Chyem ne Zaroorat Daulat-o-Rubab, Faqat Gochum School te Kitab,” meaning “I do not need money and fame; I need books and school.” You might be wondering as to why did the soldiers came up with a heart touching slogan– I will tell you why!
Major General Ashok Narula, General Officer in Command Of Victor Force, saw the children in Kashmir needed to be educated for a brighter future. He decided to initiate the operation “School Chalo” which aims at providing free education to the children and also encourages them to participate in other activities apart from just studies. Major General Narula wanted to do something for the locals because the key concern in the minds of parents residing in Kashmir was the education and future of their children. Narula told a news daily, “During my interaction with (the) locals, I felt they were worried about the studies of their children, but at the same time anxious about their security. That is where I asked my boys to work out a plan for providing education to students,”
Kashmir has dealt with violence and curfews which have been tormenting the state since July 9th of, this year, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter.
The soldiers locate teachers and connect them to the communities for teaching children.
“School Chalo” is not only an initiative to educate children but to protect them by guarding that area.
“Besides being an army officer, I am a father of two children. So here I approached the issue as a father and not as an Army officer and ensured that these children should hold books in their hands, rather than a stone,” said Narula.
