The Hindu : Priyanka inspires them

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

National

National

Priyanka inspires them

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU, FEB. 24. Leaving behind their traumatic experiences, 43 children from Kashmir, who have lost one or both parents in violence in the last 14 years, were initiated into a new world and helped to plan their future at a residential workshop here. For many of them, Priyanka Vadra, who met them a couple of days ago, is an inspiration.

For Sultanat, a 12th class student at the Kothibagh Higher Secondary School in Srinagar, Priyanka has been a great source of inspiration. "She was very communicative. We were impressed with how she has braved the death of her father and it is indeed a great source of encouragement for us," Siltanat said.

On the first day of the workshop, the children huddled together, feeling shy to talk and not knowing how to introduce themselves. A young girl fainted many times saying that she wanted to go back and was alien to this place. But the children have now blossomed into a bunch of frank and articulate students who have chalked out their plans for the future.

Brought to Jammu jointly by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), the Centre for Heritage and Environment Kashmir (CHEK), the Worldwide Fund for Nature and the University of Jammu, the children, who were yet to come to terms with the loss of their parents either in the cross-fire or to the bullets of the militants, admitted that "we are a changed lot." Theatre director M.K. Raina said "it was the most difficult time to tackle them." Before a select audience, which included the Director-General of Police, Gopal Sharma, the DIG, Jammu, Farooq Ahmed, and the Director-General, Tourism, Saleem Beg, the children displayed their talent. Huge paintings on the wall and musical and theatrical performances by the children kept the audience spellbound. The highlight of the 10-day residential workshop, directed by Mr. Raina, was the interaction between Muslim children from the valley and their mates from the Kashmiri Pandit community, who are yet to see their homeland. But at the end of the day, the Pandit children were convinced that "we [Muslims and Pandits] shall have to live together."

"In the absence of an interaction, our minds were biased," said Deepali Pandita, an undergraduate student whose father was killed by militants 13 years ago. Sumita Dutta, who also lost her father to militant violence, wants to go back, but, "Is there any guarantee?" she asks.

A child from Sopore lost three members of his family, including his parents, when the security forces opened fire at a group of civilians. "We shared our trauma but I am happy to say we have learnt to overcome it," said Shaista Noor.Three children belong to Pusroo, a remote village in Budgam district which has no road link yet. "We are extremely grateful to the RGF for making education possible for us," said Maqsooda.

According to Bilal Ahmed Wani, this kind of effort could lead to a complete circle of social dialogue between the two communities.

Ratna Mathur, programme coordinator at the RGF, said this was the first programme in a series and it aimed at broadening the orphaned children's horizons, build their self-confidence and help them select a suitable career. The RGF, she said, has been supporting more than 250 children in Kashmir for their education.

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