In search of a Messiah

Prof. Farooq Fayaz
In the recent past, one hardly finds a reference regarding such a devastating flood that engulfed the entire Valley and parts of Jammu region in the month of September, 2014. Though, history stands witness to recurring natural and man-made calamities in the shape of Earthquakes, Epidemics, Fires and other volcanic eruptions as a result of Kashmir’s being located in a distinctive geo-climatic setting, yet from the very earliest past, human endeavours have equally been employed by the ranks in power to design ways and measures to mitigate the sufferings of people and work out strategies to avoid the occurrence of such catastrophes in near future.
The post flood, psycho-sociological analysis carried out by couple of individuals and organisations, brought forth, revealing tales of collective pain, distress, trauma and agony. This state of gory situation needs serious attention on the part of sensible sections of Kashmiri society. If the problem is left unattended, it may assume a volcanic proportion and will disturb the entire psycho-social fabric of the society. Alongside, the multiple of public service sectors, health and education sectors were the worst hit in the recent floods. The two sectors suffered immeasurable loss in terms of infrastructure, space and organisational planning.
Sensing the magnitude of the destruction, educational institutions were subject to, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, though, in a hasty manner, decided to postpone the conduct of annual examinations, which were otherwise, scheduled in October-November, till March 2014. In a civilised society, academics, of course, constitutes the priority area given its role in the development of human resource and social engineering. True, given against the background of contemporary compatibility, glamour, and status consciousness, parents prefer to send their wards to private educational institutions even against hefty charges but it is equally the responsibility of parents to watch whether their dear ones are being given quality education, sustainable hygienic surrounding and human centric morale lessons.
Doubtless to say, the private educational sector has in the recent past emerged as most credible academic service provider in the state but that does not mean it has right to over-rule the instructions and directions issued at time to time by the office of the Directorate of School Education and other relevant official agencies in the interest of public good. This is what really happened during the recent post-flood situation in Kashmir. Some private educational institutions were reported to have started conducting golden tests and even annual examinations, in brazen violation to state cabinet orders The parents even lodged complaint against the management of various well established schools wherein it was pleaded that majority of private educational schools have collected tuition fee as well as transport charges from students for the months of September and October. The news when carried in local press received the attention of civil society and other revered institutions of the state. Taking cue from press reports, the sensible souls lodged a P.I.L in the Hon’ble Court to seek justice. The Honb’le Court while taking a strong notice of the allegation, issued orders to Respondents of the petition to desist from taking tuition and other allied charges for the months of September and October from the students. Not to talk of charging fee, some schools even started conducting annual examinations in total violation to state cabinet order. This, of course, created confusion and the crises got further compounded when State education department adopted silence for some time on the sensitive issue. Thanks to the Honb”le Court, which in its direction, ordered the concerned stakeholders strictly, to abide by the instructions of the Government decision.
In every civilised society, nursing and teaching professions are considered to be of prophetic nature and glory. The people involved in the job need a missionary zeal and passion rather than to be guided by mundane interests and material gains. Not to talk of west, in our own valley, there can be produced multiple of references where-in people with little source of sustenance devoted their entire time for providing quality schooling to aspirants irrespective of religious, ethnic, linguistic and other considerations. Material gains, voluntary gifts, and other cash prizes carried little significance given the gains of the noble profession. Contrary to this, in the contemporary material centric social fabric, wealth outshines values, honesty is outclassed by deceit and mission is subordinated to machination.
As a private enterprise, owners of un-aided private schools have legitimate right to charge fee from admitted students in lieu of the services provided by these institutions. But in the times of crisis and calamity, the situation demands some extraordinary treatment to address the issues. This is what was required during the post-flood conditions in the Kashmir valley. Contrary to this, in violation of human values and societal responsibility, some private educational institutions are reported to have collected unjustified dues from the students. This tantamount to bleeding and fleecing of the parents, that too at a time, when people needed healing touch and consolation was a sheer injustice.
The recently occurred devastating floods have crippled the very backbone of Kashmir economy. It shattered the very dreams and desires of budding hearts. In this hour of collective distress and grief, the students from flood hit areas needed exemplary human aid and financial assistance to arrange for new sets of text books. Against this, the very painful occasion was not left without an appendix of extortion.
Kashmiri society, indeed, owe, immense debt to those non Kashmiri individuals and organisations who have provided aid in lacs to bring back the damaged educational sector to rails. Kashmir society undoubtedly, is in search of a Messiah.

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