The Hindu : Kerala News : `It is mindset of Kashmiris that matters'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

`It is mindset of Kashmiris that matters'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 12. Rather than defence strategies or diplomatic endeavours, it is the mindset of the people of Jammu and Kashmir that contributes more to the confidence building measures (CBMs) in that State and also on the borders, according to the Minister of State for Defence, B. K. Handique.

During an interaction with the media soon after inaugurating the 35th All India Sainik Schools Principals' Conference, at the Sainik School, Kazhakkuttom, today, he said the highly positive response of the people of that State to the bus service from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, was an indicator of the mood of the people.

"They turned up in large numbers to witness the inaugural run, despite the `fidayeen' attack on the Government complex housing the bus passengers on the eve of the historic journey", he observed.

The bus service across the border has been best described as the `mother of all CBMs'. Even the threat perception in Jammu and Kashmir was a factor that depended mainly on the people of that State, the Minister said.

Setting up of defence establishments in Kerala depended very much on the strategic requirements of the armed forces.

Orders for Keltron

The proposal to place orders to the Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) for the manufacture of equipment for the Defence forces was under the consideration of the Centre.

Sending yet another expedition to Antarctica was an issue that could not be decided by the Ministry of Defence alone, since it was a multidisciplinary exercise, Mr. Handique said.

In reply to a question whether cadets from the Sainik Schools could be given preference in the matter of admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA), he said these schools themselves served as a platform to motivate them to join the armed forces. Referring to the fee structure in the Sainik Schools in the country, which was on the higher side, thereby making them inaccessible to the children from the lower strata of society, he said the ministry was seized of the matter.

The Centre would seek the co-operation and assistance of the respective State Governments to sort out the issue.

"If needed, I will write to the Chief Ministers in an effort at seeking a solution through a political will", he remarked.

Conference

Earlier, inaugurating the conference, the Minister highlighted the objectives of Sainik Schools, expressing the need to reflect on what has been achieved 44 years down the line. He stated that academic excellence, a balanced approach for overall development of personality, character building of students and discipline were the priority areas that needed attention.

He suggested a careful and tactical handling of the situation rather than adoption of extreme and drastic measures to maintain discipline.

"I would also like to lay emphasis on community development activities involving students, particularly in the area of non-formal education", he said.

Mr. Handique presented the Defence Minister's Trophy for sending the maximum number of cadets to the NDA, to Commander C. B. Narayana Rao, Principal of Sainik School, Gorakhal and to Commander Sen, Principal, Sainik School, Amaravatinagar.

The trophy for the Best School in Academics was presented to Wg.Cdr. M.S.Bhandari, Principal, Sainik School, Imphal.

The Minister, on his arrival at the school, was received by Maj.Gen. J.S.Ghumman, Additional Director General, Army Education.

He inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the cadets of the school and also placed a wreath at the `Stupa of Remembrance'.

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