Gurez Valley in Bandipora district of Kashmir is called the door to heaven. And, in this heavenly place, considered the most beautiful in Kasmir, a model residential school with all modern facilities is coming up.
Under the leadership of IAS officer Owais Ahmed, the Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora, the district administration has inaugurated the Eklavya Residential Model School (ERMS) on interim basis at a cost of Rs 96 lacs. The state government has already earmarked 21 crores for a permanent building. Already 100 students are studying in the school.
Indian Masterminds interacted with 2014-batch IAS officer Owais Ahmed, the Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora, under whose leadership the district administration was able to start the school.
EMRS
Bandipora is a tribal area, with 99 per cent of its population being tribal. Here, the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), is being built up by Tribal Affairs Department in Gurez Valley. The main building of this school is still under construction. The administration started classes early, so that children of far flung areas can get quality education.
The English medium school affiliated to CBSC board has residential facilities, too. “This school was really need of the hour for the overall development of the children here. We have received overwhelming response from students of the area on inauguration of EMRS Gurez. This is one of the major steps in providing quality and up to date residential education facilities to students here. Now these children can compete at the all-India level,” said Mr. Owais Ahmed.
Earlier, Gurez valley had only state board schools. The school that started on an interim basis from 6th standard, as the main building is still not ready, already has 100 students.
SAFETY
Unlike the other risk prone areas of the district, Gurez valley is totally safe and is a popular tourist destination. On being asked about any safety concerns in the residential school, Mr Ahmed said, “There is nothing to worry. I invite everybody to visit the Gurez valley and enjoy the hospitality of the beautiful people. If you visit here, you will definitely fall in love with this place.”
OWN STRUCTURE
Once the main building is ready, the school will house more facilities, including its own ground for sports activities, separate hostels for boys and girls, excursion opportunities for educational and historical visits, well-equipped lab, library, music room, etc.
WHAT IS EMRS?
The Eklavya Residential Model Schools (ERMS) started in the year 1997-98 to impart quality education to ST children in remote areas in order to enable them to avail opportunities in high and professional educational courses and get employment in various sectors. The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.
BANDIPORA PDI
Earlier, Mr Ahmed’s initiative of Panchayat Development Index was praised by the central government and it was showcased at the Digital India Week 2022 held at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, the inaugural session of which was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was a proud moment for the Bandipora district administration, in fact the whole of Jammu & Kashmir. PDI is an e-governance initiative of ranking panchayats on the basis of their performances on the basis of 81 indicators in six different fields, a unique initiative of the Bandipora administration to boost the development of all panchayats in the district from the grassroot level.
