SRINAGAR: Children’s Day was not celebrated in Kashmir Valley due to the present conditions prevalent since August 5 when Article 370 was revoked.
Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14 across India to increase awareness about children’s rights, care and education. It is held every year to pay tribute to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly known as “Chacha Nehru” among children. He advocated for children to have fulfilled education. On this day, many educational and motivational programs are held across India, by and for the children.
The parents of the children’s said that since August 5, the schools have remained closed across Kashmir and their children are sitting at their homes.
Mehraj Bhat, a parent from Srinagar told Kashmir Reader that when his children got up in the morning on Thursday, he said, “Papa today is Children’s Day. My teachers cannot give me chocolate as I am sitting at home. You can buy me a chocolate which my teachers used to give me on this day.”
Anisa Ayoub, a student said, “I remember the last year when the principal of my school greeted us during the morning assembly. The teachers were sharing chocolates with the students.”
“I feel so bad when I remember it,” she said.
Chairman of Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), G N War said, “Private schools celebrates Children’s Day every year. But this time, students are not coming to schools. This year no Children’s Day was celebrated in the private schools.”
“The students of 10th and 12th are giving the board exams and 11th class students are going to appear in the exams,” he said.

ARIF RASHID