Inspired by movie, institution offers free edu for Kashmiri Pandits’ kids

Mangaluru: Inspired by the film The Kashmir Files, which depicts the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from the disputed region of Kashmir, Subrahmanya Nattoja, founder of Ambika Padavi Poorva Vidyalaya, Puttur, not only travelled to Jammu with his family but also announced free education for Kashmiri Pandits' children.
“After watching the movie, I was moved by the plight of the Kashmiri Hindus and wanted to do something to help them. I organised a screening for nearly 1,000 students from the institute. I decided to take my family to Jammu so that my son and daughter are aware of the problems they are facing,” he said.
On April 21, they visited Jagati in Jammu, where hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit families had resettled after fleeing their homes in the valley during the terrorist insurgency of the 1990s. “Everyone we met had a tragic story to tell. I then went to the Jammu Press Club and announced that our institute would provide free education to the children of Kashmiri pandits. We were told that there are approximately 500 families in Srinagar, with a few families having relocated to Bengaluru. Our sole goal is to ensure that no child is deprived of education due to financial crisis,” he said.
The institution will cover school and hostel fees. The fee for the CBSE school section is approximately Rs 35,000 and for PU and degree section it is about Rs 45,000. In addition, hostel fee comes to about 80,000 per student.
“So far, three enrolments have been received under the free education programme for Kashmiri Pandits, one boy for class six and two girls for PU education for the upcoming academic year, which begins in June. We've also received four more inquiries. Parents are concerned about sending their children 3,000 kms away to pursue their education. We've told them that they can send their children in groups so that they don't get homesick. It will be our responsibility to look after the children,” he said.