Army chief dedicated goodwill public school to people of Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 12 (UNI) The Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor today dedicated a goodwill public school, constructed at a cost of Rs 12.43 crore over 250 kanals of land at Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir.

General Kapoor, accompanied by Mrs Kirti Kapoor, president of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), dedicated the school to the children of the state at a function held today.

The school was envisioned by former chief of the army staff, General N C Vij, who along with Mr Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir jointly laid the foundation stone of the school on November 26, 2004.

However, the first academic session of the school commenced on June 2, this year with 83 students.

Spread over 250 kanals and constructed at a cost of Rs 12.43 crore, the school is a co-educational, residential, senior secondary school providing children of Jammu and Kashmir an environment suited for wholesome growth.

A defence ministry spokesman said the school aims to be an institution of excellence, dedicated to the children of state, to develop them into responsible citizens and leaders by imparting quality education, in an environment which is caring, stimulating and challenging.

General Kappor while reinforcing the commitment of indian army towards peace, prosperity and development of the state urged teachers to instill in children, a sense of curiosity and thirst for knowledge so that they can live up to the schools' motto of 'knowledge, wisdom, character'.

He said armed with certainty, righteousness and courage, citizens of tomorrow can face the challenges that lie ahead.

Quoting the 'mission of education' as enunciated by former president, APJ Abdul Kalam, General Kapoor said ''when learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms, when creativity blossoms, thinking emanates, when thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit, when knowledge is lit, economy flourishes.'' UNI BAS YSS SV RK1520