Minister for Finance, Labour, Employment and Culture, Dr Haseeb Drabu today underscored the need for imparting education through non-conventional modes like performing arts, fine arts as is being done in other countries and states. He said such an initiative will stir curiosity among the children.The Minister was speaking at a children’s theatre festival organized by CRY in association with MetLife and Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd, highlighting the importance of education for children.Minister of State for Social Welfare, Ms. Asiya Naqash was also present on the occasion.Mission Director ICDS, Mr Mukhtar-ul-Aziz, Regional Director North CRY, Soha Moitra, MD & CEO MetLife, Mr Tarun Chugh and senior executives of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank were present on the occasion.
Dr Drabu said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed turbulent times and children were worst sufferers of the conflict and now the onus lies on the Government and the corporate sector to contribute their bit in providing all the requisite facilities to them for their intellectual and overall growth. He said the Government has already initiated several schemes for the children and is also contemplating to launch new ones as well.Referring to the importance of imparting education related to culture and other facets, the Minister said it should be imparted at the school level so that the younger generation gets connected to its roots as well as moors. He said he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities so that the same is fast-paced.“The Book of Child Verses would also be compiled so that this rich treasure gets documented in a proper manner and also serves as a referral point to the posterity”, he added.
Dr Drabu also complimented the organizers for holding of these types of activities maintaining that same would go a long way in ensuring holistic development of the children as well as creating awareness about the importance of educating the child. He said such festivals should also be held in rural and far-flung areas of the State. Minister of State for Social Welfare, Ms Asiya Naqash also spoke on the occasion and said the government is committed to bring a change in the education sector so that it is properly augmented both human resource- wise as well as infrastructural-wise.She said that focused attention is being paid to various schemes meant for children and they have been fast paced as well.Mission Director, ICDS, Mr. Mukhtar-ul-Aziz also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the activities being undertaken by the department.