Minister for Education,Naeem AkhtarMonday called for revising the school curriculum with lessons on the literary figures of Jammu and Kashmir.Stressing the need for making students aware of their rich cultural heritage, Mr Akhtar urged the civil society, educationists and independent policymakers to come up with suggestions on how the Education Department can spread knowledge about the local icons who have brought laurels to the State."Despite having a rich cultural heritage, our students lack knowledge about their local heroes. We have to change this. We welcome suggestions and we seek your guidance in how we can bring about this change. With a strong sense of history, we can become a more vibrant state," Mr Akhtar said in a brief speech at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.Mr Akhtar was speaking at a function at Tagore Hall here organized by the Education Department in connection with the Centenary Celebrations of J&K's iconic poet and teacher, Dina Nath Nadim.
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Secretary Cultural Academy Dr Aziz Hajni, poet and Gyan Peeth Awardee, Mr Rehman Rahi, former broadcaster Farooq Nazki, besides a galaxy of poets, scholars and family members of late Dina Nath Nadim were present on the occasion.Recalling the contribution of Mr Nadim to the evolution of literary landscape in the state, Mr Akhtar said outstanding teachers like Mr Nadim must not only be re-introduced to the youth of the State but also celebrated with vibrancy."People like Dina Nath Nadim have been teachers who played significant role in the socio-political evolution of J&K. Unfortunately, the teacher community does not own their profession today," he said.The Education Minister also underscored the contribution of Kashmiri Pandit community towards the introduction of modern education in J&K."They (Kashmiri Pandits) took original stride to modern education which has produced a pool of talent spread across the globe who are making the state of Jammu and Kashmir proud with their achievements in the field of science and arts," Mr Akhtar said.Dr Hajini urged the Education Minister to introduce Kashmiri as a mandatory subject for Class 9 and Class 10 so that the rich cultural heritage of J&K is preserved. Prof Chaman Lal Sapru, president of Dina Nath Foundation also spoke on the occasion. Mr Farooq Nazki delivered Dina Nath Nadim memorial lecture on the occasion.