HRD ministry to integrate J-K youth with rest of country through exchange programme

Bridging the socio-cultural chasm between the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and students from the rest of the country, the Narendra Modi government has set the ball rolling for cultural assimilation of students from the state through extensive exchange programmes.

On Monday, the J&K government and the Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding that paves the way for students from across the country to travel to the troubled state to get a feel of its ground realities and absorb its cultural richness while Kashmiri students will move out to explore the cultural diversity of the nation.

Kicking off the exchange programme, a batch of Kashmiri students will head to the national Capital on January 18, and over the following week, witness the grand Republic Day celebrations. Officials of the HRD ministry pointed out that this will not be “a merely onetime exchange” but a regular mingling of students to help “harbour friendship” with children from other states.

“The underlying principle is to converge so that children in J&K can interact with children from across the country and unnecessary apprehensions in the minds of people are dispelled,” said a senior government official. “This will involve around 9,000 to 10,000 students who will travel across the country.”

The move comes at a time the Modi government has been attacked by the Opposition for the continuing instability and law and order issues in J&K.

Government officials maintained that the move is essentially to bridge the cultural chasm between J&K and the rest of the country and to instill a sense of belonging in the Kashmiri youth. “Our ministry has been engaging intensively in a bid to engage with children to see how education can be used as a tool for bringing about more and more normalcy in the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Anil Swaroop, secretary (school education and literacy), HRD ministry.

“A team from HRD ministry visited J&K on a number of occasions and had an intensive discussion with the governor, chief minister and state administration on this. The actual action has begun on the ground.”

As the ministry attempts a nationwide experiment, Operation Digital Board, reminiscent of the revolutionary Operation Blackboard, where digital learning platforms will take over classrooms, J&K is set to receive special attention as it grapples with issues like lack of electricity.

The Centre while empowering the state education system will offer digital platforms and ensure they are solar-powered and do not go kaput due to its infrastructural exigencies.