Express readers take Kargil martyr kids to school

Express readers take Kargil martyr kids to school

Express news service

Posted online: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 0034 hrs IST

Nalagarh, April 26
Shaheedon ki chitaon par lagenge har baras mele

Watan par mitne waalon ka yehi baaki nishaan hoga

(Fairs will be held every year in memory of the martyrs and that’s how they will be remembered.)

Quoting this couplet, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal laid the foundation stone for the Kargil Shaheed Subedar Tara Chand Block being constructed by The Indian Express at the Government School, Khera.

Among those who watched him were Roshni Devi, widow of Subedar Tara Chand who laid down his life in Kargil, and her son, Narender, who could not pursue higher studies after his father’s death.

The block, housing 10 fully equipped classrooms, is being constructed by a readers’ initiative led by The Indian Express at an estimated cost of over Rs 60 lakh.

Said Roshni Devi: “After their father died, my three elder sons couldn’t complete their education because there aren’t sufficient facilities here and we aren’t rich enough to afford education in a big city. I will make sure that my youngest son who is still studying will now get a complete education. It is a matter of great honour for us that The Indian Express has dedicated this block in memory of my husband.”

Dhumal said that apart from providing better education opportunities, the initiative was the best possible tribute to a soldier.

“The youth of Himachal have been at the forefront when it comes to valour. In the Kargil war, the state gave as many as 52 martyrs, and of the four Param Vir Chakras awarded, two were won by Himachal boys. The Indian Express group needs to be commended for making this contribution,” he said.

The funds for the project were collected through a citizens’ initiative led by The Indian Express for the Chandigarh War Memorial. Former president A P J Abdul Kalam, while appreciating the efforts of the Express Group to set up the War Memorial, had suggested that funds should also be used for upgrading school and health facilities in rural areas. Responding to this, the Express Group had announced that it would double the amount collected for the War Memorial for the purpose. The Rs 60-lakh project to upgrade the Khera school is part of that initiative.

Last year, the Express Group helped upgrade facilities at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres in Mohali and Pune.

The Chief Minister felt that such initiatives vindicated the values of the founder of the Express Group, the late Ramnath Goenka. “He was the one who kept the light of journalism and truth alive even in the darkest eras of democracy. It is heartening to see that the newspaper is carrying forward his legacy.”

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Express readers take Kargil martyr kids to school Express news service Posted online: Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 0034 hrs IST Nalagarh, April 26 Shaheedon ki chitaon par lagenge har baras mele Watan par mitne waalon ka yehi baaki nishaan hoga (Fairs will be held every year in memory of the martyrs and that’s how they will be remembered.) Quoting this couplet, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal laid the foundation stone for the Kargil Shaheed Subedar Tara Chand Block being constructed by The Indian Express at the Government School, Khera. Among those who watched him were Roshni Devi, widow of Subedar Tara Chand who laid down his life in Kargil, and her son, Narender, who could not pursue higher studies after his father’s death. The block, housing 10 fully equipped classrooms, is being constructed by a readers’ initiative led by The Indian Express at an estimated cost of over Rs 60 lakh. Said Roshni Devi: “After their father died, my three elder sons couldn’t complete their education because there aren’t sufficient facilities here and we aren’t rich enough to afford education in a big city. I will make sure that my youngest son who is still studying will now get a complete education. It is a matter of great honour for us that The Indian Express has dedicated this block in memory of my husband.” Dhumal said that apart from providing better education opportunities, the initiative was the best possible tribute to a soldier. “The youth of Himachal have been at the forefront when it comes to valour. In the Kargil war, the state gave as many as 52 martyrs, and of the four Param Vir Chakras awarded, two were won by Himachal boys. The Indian Express group needs to be commended for making this contribution,” he said. The funds for the project were collected through a citizens’ initiative led by The Indian Express for the Chandigarh War Memorial. Former president A P J Abdul Kalam, while appreciating the efforts of the Express Group to set up the War Memorial, had suggested that funds should also be used for upgrading school and health facilities in rural areas. Responding to this, the Express Group had announced that it would double the amount collected for the War Memorial for the purpose. The Rs 60-lakh project to upgrade the Khera school is part of that initiative. Last year, the Express Group helped upgrade facilities at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres in Mohali and Pune. The Chief Minister felt that such initiatives vindicated the values of the founder of the Express Group, the late Ramnath Goenka. “He was the one who kept the light of journalism and truth alive even in the darkest eras of democracy. It is heartening to see that the newspaper is carrying forward his legacy.”