DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020 (PAGE 7) Eduardo Faleiro created in 1985 to promote economic devel- opment and social progress in South Asia he Asian resurgence is one of the most through regional cooperation. Effective significant developments of our time. implementation of South Asia Free Trade TThe rise of Asia began with the The Asian resurgence Agreement (SAFTA) is likely to accomplish extraordinary economic progress of Japan in the full economic and strategic potential of rise of Asia nor the decline of the West are ers. Hence, democracy is promoted but not if heralding the Asian Century as well. The late between India and China and assertion of the 1950s and 60s; was followed by the South Asia. The establishment of the South irreversible. it brings Islamic fundamentalists to power; Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee sovereignty on Arunachal Pradesh shape the remarkable advance of the Asian Tigers Asian University in 2010 was also a concrete In the Huntington thesis, Western strate- non proliferation is preached to Iran and emphasized about a decade and a half ago: Indian perception of China. China's increas- Hongkong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singa- achievement of SAARC. The South Asian gy to maintain and strengthen its global North Korea but not to Israel; human rights "The 21st century will become the Century ing arms supplies to some of India's neigh- pore and other countries of South East Asia; University is an international university supremacy is focused on Euro-American uni- are an issue with China but not with Saudi of Asia if China and India can build a stable bours corroborates the perception that the and now, the impressive growth of China and established by the eight member nations of ty, it exploits differences among non Western Arabia. and lasting relationship". The phrase Asian former was incessantly engaged in multiply- India. SAARC viz. Afghanistan, , nations and attempts to develop common Century arose in the ing its influence in what the latter considers The Twenty First century will reportedly Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and interests with what it calls "swing civiliza- mid to late 1980s, and its strategic periphery. be the Asian century just as the Twentieth was The India-Pakistan relations, since the Sri Lanka. The main campus of the Univer- tions" which are the "major actors in world is attributed to a 1988 The Chinese perception of India is led by the American century and the Nineteenth the sity is located in India. It offers post-gradu- affairs likely to have ambivalent and fluctu- meeting of People's factors ranging from controversial border European century. By 2050, China is expect- creation of both the nations in 1947 have ate and doctoral programmes in various dis- ating relations with the West and its chal- Republic of China issues to New Delhi's act of providing asy- ed to be the largest economy in the world. By ciplines. It attracts students from all member lengers" such as Japan, Russia and India. been precarious; the two nations have (PRC) leader Deng lum to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader that time Asia might hold seven of the ten nations. Western supremacy is sought to be safe- Xiaoping and Indian who claimed autonomy for Tibet. India's leading national economies. The India-Pakistan relations, since the guarded through a three pronged strategy: (i) been involved in four wars. Kashmir has Prime Minister Rajiv commitment to a strategic partnership with Samuel Huntington in his seminal work creation of both the nations in 1947 have been a globalised economy which the West domi- Gandhi at which Deng the US on the one hand and attempts at forg- "The Clash of Civilizations and the remak- precarious; the two nations have been nates; (ii) non-proliferation of nuclear been the crucial issue for both the said that 'in recent ing bilateral ties with China on the other also ing of the World Order" perceives the ascen- involved in four wars. Kashmir has been the weapons and W.M.Ds which should be exclu- years people have been does not convince China that the strategic dancy of Asia in contrast to the decline of the crucial issue for both the nations and it is an sively controlled by Western powers; and (iii) nations and it is an unresolved boundary saying that the next partnership is not directed at undercutting West and attributes the latter to low econom- unresolved boundary dispute. Terrorism is protection of the cultural and ethnic integri- century will be the cen- Beijing's geopolitical influence. ic growth, stagnating population, declining another major issue which affects the rela- ty of the Euro-American societies by drasti- dispute. Terrorism is another major issue tury of Asia and the South Asia witnesses increasing econom- savings rates, huge Government deficits and tionship. The India-Pakistan relationship in cally restricting the number of immigrants Pacific'. ic progress. The challenge faced by this in many Western countries including the which affects the relationship. recent times has reached an all-time low. and refugees from non European countries. India-China rela- region is to sustain a high rate of growth United States, social aspects such as low Regional cooperation need not be hindered Western strategy to sustain it pre-eminent tions cannot usher in whilst making economic development more work ethics, family decay, drugs and crime. by bilateral controversies. The Government position also involves defining its interests as India and China, two economic power- the Asian Century until they make sincere inclusive to achieve a faster reduction in At present however, the West is overwhelm- of India should endeavour to turn SAARC the interests of the "world community", an houses of Asia are not only the key drivers of attempts at engendering shared views on poverty, illiteracy and deprivation. Regional ingly dominant. Western economies are still into an effective instrument of regional syn- euphemism which is meant to give global the economic renaissance that Asia is under- geopolitical objectives and threat percep- cooperation is a pivotal element for prosper- growing and the West is still the leader in the ergy and cooperation. field of science and technology. Neither the legitimacy to actions reflecting the interests going in the global economy but are central tions. Beijing's non-recognition of the ity in South Asia. The South Asian Associa- of the United States and other Western Pow- to redefining the global economic order and McMahon Line as the international border tion for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was (The writer is a former Union Minister)

Dr. Etee Bahadur different sects as well. Inter-sectarian relations however have he reference to Baltistan as a region Being 'Balti' in the nation state of Pakistan changed and sectarianism has hit Baltistan has been found in the ancient first epic Tof King Gesar (Ling Gesar). Ptole- ina major way in the last few decades. Sen- my's also mentions a Byaltlae people. The ge H. Sering writes that Bomb blasts are ancient rock cut-inscriptions is evidence of A search for a Cultural Identity becoming a common method of sectarian an ancient thriving civilization in Baltistan. killing. He mentions of a bomb blast in 2009 Ladakh and Baltistan acquire a lot of change, as artisans (cobblers, ing of the current political conflict in Kash- Turtuk speak Balti. There are many scholars ment of the area of Gilgit-Baltistan, as it was in May in Baltistan and in Gilgit in July. The The Dards refer to Balti as Balor, the jewelers, masons, stone-cutters ) from other mir would reveal the political status of who work on different facets of the Balti 2009 that the Government of Pakistan fact that 300 more terrorists were expelled Arabs call it Baloristan and the Tibetans, parts of India settled in Skardu during this Baltistan and that the Baltis are mere specta- identity, Mohamad Hasnai also known as announced the creation of Gilgit-Baltistan, a from Gilgit in October 2008 would mean that Nang-Kod, it was Tibet-i-Khurd or Little time. Soon control over Kashmir passed on tor the in the entire electoral process The Gov- Singe Tsering popularizes the Balti language provincial autonomous region with Gilgit as its Taliban does have a presence in Gigit- Tibet in the medieval literature. The Bon and to the Afghans and then to the Sikhs, and the ernment of Pakistani has also terminated the and literature and restoration of the Balti capital and as Skardu and its largest city. Baltistan. This sort of Talibanization of the Balti people were the Tibetans and the Dogras of Jammu. State Subject Rule (SSR) which was enforced monuments also being another aspect of the Ethnicity still remains as one of the pow- Gilgit-Baltistan would thereby mean more Dardic people who were influenced cultur- It was till 1947 that the political history by the Dogra regime to protect socio-econom- efforts. erful cultural factors and it has also been the Shia casualties and more influx of the Tal- ally by Tibetan Buddhism. Baltistan was one of both of these areas, Ladakh and Baltistan ic rights of the citizens of Jammu and Kash- The Baltis would like to further their rela- source of many conflicts in the world. iban in the region this would certainly lead of the six regions of undivided Jammu and were fused together, the Ladakh Wazarat mir in 1960's in Baltistan. https://www.busi- tions with Ladakh as they have a similar cul- Each county embodies its own distinctive to change in the demographic profile of area. Kashmir. being divided into Leh, Kargil and Skardo ness-standard.com/ article/politics/laws-in- ture and language. Tibetans gave their lan- culture and society so if a tourist was to vis- Further tourism and economic activity in Baltistan is bordered by Gilgit in the districts, Leh being the capital of Ladakh. pok-gilgit-baltistan-don-t-represent-rights- guage and culture to Baltistan but it was it India he /she would understand the culture the border areas has further been reduced north, Ladakh in the east, it has the Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh nominated four mem- of-people-kashmiri-leaders- Baltistan which was from Buddhism would of Indian subcontinent, its political and cul- after the closure of the Indo-Pakistan border. valley to its south and Tibet in the north. bers from the Ladkah Wazarat, they were two 116051800128_1.html . This has also lead to travel from to Central Asia, Tibet and China. tural legacies and also how that would impact There is Tibetan influence in Baltistan and Buddhist representatives and from the Leh Thousands of families of Ladakh and a change in the regional demography of the There is a yearning among the Tibetan ori- the contemporary Indian society and culture. Baltistan and Pakistan are not able to meet the people of Baltistan are seen to be proud district and two from the Kargil district. region. gins Baltis to revive their old national roots He/she would choose to understand the cul- their families who are on the other side of the of their roots. The Tibetans ruled over However it was in 1948 that the Partition of Ladakh and Baltistan had remained under they have made attempts to revive the tradi- tural space of the people who inhabit the area Baltistan in the ninth and tenth centuries, Ladakh Wazarat happened which lead to the the Central Tibetan Dynasty for a very long tional ritulas like Me-Phang, fire-ritual, a and hold an hope to understand the dynam- border. Sectarianism, also we have seen has Ibrahim Shah founded the Makpon dynasty separation of Ladakh and Baltistan and time. Centuries old Tibetan influence has move to preserve and protect Skardu's ics of the culture and identity of the people hit Baltistan in a major way. M. A.Kaiser in in the thirteenth century and it was in the fif- Baltistan was annexed to the Northern areas shaped the Balti culture. The culture and ancient monuments rock carvings and other who have had to cross-borders maybe per- his book Shohda-e-Gilgit Baltistan (Martyrs teenth century when Mir Shamsuddin Iraqi of Jammu and Kashmir which was under the identity of Baltistan of the Balti people who related heritage. A section of the scholars manently they might be immigarants, they of Gilgit-Baltistan, 2005 ) has given details spread the Nur-Bakshia of Kubrawiya Sufi Pakisatn's occupation. lived together as the people of Baltistan and would prevent their Tibetan language from could be refugees or exiles or an Internally of Shia genocide and martyrs of Gilgit- order in Baltistan. It is said that in the six- The dispute over the territory has divid- Ladakh under one set up under the state of the growing influence of and Punjabi, Displaced People (IDP's). Baltistan massacred in 1988 , 1992, 1999 ed Balti's and Ladakhi's on both sides of the teenth and the seventeenth century the Per- Jammu and Kashmir will slowly get erased and to revive the Tibetan script again is a way Gillgit-Balitstan is divided into three ,2004, 2005. Geo-politically as well we know LoC affecting the economic-development sian Shia clerics (Persian Twelver Shias) from the memory of the local people. The to preserve their culture. divisions which are then divivded into ten that this is a sensitive area and the opening and the culture of the region. Ladakh and Bal- moved into Baltistan, as most of Baltistan we Balti dialect is still spoken by the people liv- The people of Ladakh are therefore seen to districts including Gilgit , Skardu , Diamer, up of the Karakoram highway (KKH) which itstan were part of the same administrative know had practiced Nur-Baksh since the fif- ing in the valleys of Baltistan like the Skar- share several non-religious affinities with the Ghizer , Hunza , Nagar, Ghanche, Astore , links Pakistan with China will certainly take teenth century. set-up till 1947, the Partition of the Indian du, Rongdu, Shigur Khapulu , Kharmarg and Baltistan, this being their language, music, subcontinent. It was in 1974 that the North- Khaarmang and Shigat. Gligit-Baltistan is the strategic relations of the two countries of Towards the end of the fifteenth century Guttari. Balti is also spoken in India in places dress, food, the Bon customs and most impor- the home to various languages ethnicities the boundary between Baltistan and Ladakh ern Areas was created to detach Baltistan and Pakistan and China to another level with in Kargil and in pockets where the Baltis in tantly the folk tradition and culture of folktales sectarian and tribal identities. The major Eth- was under the control of Ali Sher Gilgit from the rest of Jammu and Kashmir. investments in Gilgit-Baltistan to expand the India live, these are the villages of Turtuk , like the King Gesar (Ling Gesar), infact the nic groups being the Baltis, Shinas, Yashkuns Karakoram Corridor. Anchan, the then ruler of the Balti state. Ali The Northern Areas would otherwise techni- Tyakshi, Thang, Pharol, Chalungkha. These programmes broadcasted on radio in Leh and , Moghlas Kashmiris , Pathans , Ladakhis, (The author teaches Development Studies at Jamia Mil- Sher Khan Anchan is now a symbol of mod- cally comprise of the former Gilgit agency villages were to integrate with Ladakh after Kargil are listened to at Baltistan and are pret- and the Turkis., not surprising then that they lia Islamia) ern day Balti identity. The Mughal rule which (Chilas, Hunzas, Nagar, Koh Ghizar and the the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971, and a point to ty much popular. There are many organizations speak different dialects and would belong to [email protected] would continue till 1753 saw Baltistan tribal areas of Gilgit Agency). An understand- note here is that the people of the village of as well which work on the issues of develop-

Prof Suresh Chander "Vallabhbhai’s lukewarmness about Kashmir had lasted until September 13, 1947. That morning, in a letter to Baldev Singh, he irdar Shaukat Hayat Khan's book The Nation That Lost Its had indicated that “if [Kashmir] decides to join the other Domin- Soul has become some sort of gospel truth for many Indian A Tale of Three Books ion”, he would accept the fact. authors and politicians: Rajendra Sareen, Kuldip Nayar, Sai- S His attitude changed later that day when he heard that Pakistan fuddin Soz- (Sardar Patel was adamant, give Kashmir to Pakistan, our geography and his lack of wisdom. I thought he was living in meeting Ch. Hameedullah was told to inform Ch. Ghulam Abbas had accepted Junagadh’s accession. If Jinnah could take hold of a take Hyderabad. Nehru saved it), Rasheed Kidwai and many more. a fool’s paradise and did not understand the importance of Kash- Khan (President of MC) of the invasion plan and that a Commit- Saifuddin Soz and Congress made a big issue of it in recent days. mir to Pakistan while hoping to get Hyderabad, which at best, was tee comprising himself, Mr. Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Mirza Bashir-ud- Hindu-majority state with a Muslim ruler, why should the Sardar His utterings were carried prominently by the Indian press all over only quixotic wishful thinking. It was not connected with Pakistan Din Mahmud Ahmad with Mian Iftikhar-ud-Din as Chairman to not be interested in a Muslim-majority State with a Hindu ruler? the country. anywhere. As a protest, I resigned from the position I was holding be formed and draft a "Declaration of Freedom". Mr. Kiani's was From that day Junagadh and Kashmir, the pawn and the Queen, Pakistani Leadership including ZA Bhutto became sore with in Kashmir Operations.’ a three-tier plan which envisaged (I) preparation of armed bands became his simultaneous concerns. He would wrest the one and Liaqat Ali, a Muhajir from UP, for his failure to accept Patel's offer. Justice Muhammad Yusuf Saraf in his book, Kashmiris Fight in Poonch who were to advance upon Srinagar; (2) a network of defend the other." Sirdar Shaukat Hayat Khan in his book, The Nation That Lost for Freedom, Volume 2 (1947–1978), (P: 604), gives a glimpse of an underground movement was to be organised in the Valley to rise Again two versions don't add up. Patel having made up his Its Soul relates how at a dinner, Lord Mountbatten conveyed a mes- meeting on 12 September 1947, attended by Mr. in revolt at an appropriate hour; and (3) in order to prevent any mind to get the Queen (Kashmir) on 13 September 1947 would not sage from Patel. ‘Patel had said that Pakistan could take Kashmir and Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan. His narration: substantial help from reaching the State from India, the Kathua - have sent the message on 27 October 1947 through Lord Mount- and let go Hyderabad Deccan which had a majority Hindu popu- On 12th September, a preliminary meeting was held at Lahore Jammu road was to be harassed and disturbed. (This has been ver- batten: "Pakistan could take Kashmir and let go Hyderabad Dec- lation and was nowhere near Pakistan by sea or land.’ on the provincial level but the most crucial meeting for the pur- ified by an independent source also.) can." Hayat Khan goes on to say, ‘After delivering this message, Lord pose of our story here took place at the Governor House at 6 p.m. Khan's and Saraf's narrations don't add up. Liaqat Ali presided Major Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan (1915-1998) was the son of Mountbatten went to sleep in the Lahore Government House. I with Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan Prime Minister in the chair. It was attend- over a meeting on 12 September where a detailed plan to annex Sir , Governor and Premier of United Punjab being overall in-charge of the Kashmir operations went to Liaquat ed by Mr. Ghulam Muhammad, then Finance Minister, Mian Jammu and Kashmir was drawn. Sirdar Shaukat Hayat Khan was before 1947. He became increasingly disillusioned by the corrup- Ali Khan. I suggested to him that as the Indian army had entered Iftikharud-Din, Mr. M.Z. Kiani, Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan, also present in that meeting. Liaqat Ali would not have chaired this tion and dishonesty of politics in Pakistan. The Nation That Lost Kashmir in force and we would be unable to annex Kashmir with Nawab of Mamdot, Ch. Mohammad Ali, Mr. and meeting for the sake of the rocks of Kashmir if Khan's version of Its Soul was published in 1995, three years before his death. It tribal mujahids or even with our inadequate armed forces, we Col. Akbar Khan. In an interview with Professor Muhammad a meeting held on 27 October is to be believed. What was Khan's is difficult to say whether the book was his revenge against a cor- should make haste to accept Patel’s proposal.’ Ishaque Qureshi (acting general secretary of Muslim Conference) intention to portray him in poor light? We can only have some wild ‘Nawabzada (Liaquat Ali Khan) turned round to me and said, told me that he and Ch. Hameedullah Khan (acting President of guess - defaming him for not being from West Pakistan. rupt and dishonest system or not! “Sirdar Saheb, have I gone mad to give up Hyderabad which is Muslim Conference) were brought over from Kashmir by two Pak- Khan used Patel's shoulder to give authenticity to his story. He It is left to the readers to form their own opinion. much larger than the Punjab for the sake of the rocks of Kashmir?” istani intelligence officers and in this meeting he was made to sit succeeded in defaming both Patel and Liaqat Ali. (The author is former Head of Computer Engineering Department in G B Pant I was stunned by the Prime Minister’s reaction and ignorance of outside while Ch Hamidullah was taken in the meeting. In that In his book Patel: A Life, Rajmohan Gandhi writes, University of Agriculture & Technology) [email protected] COVID-19 Pandemic and Educational Crisis Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo Apart from its direct impact on schooling, the tance learning. For example, Singapore is currently Ebola infections and guided on how to help students ally, or nationally by governments looking to enforce Covid- 19 pandemic impacts include the possible use rolling out training for teachers on provision of class- catch up on lost time. The academic calendar and social distancing. hile COVID19 is primarily affecting public of school facilities as make-shift hospitals, as in some es online in anticipation of school closings. Some examination schedules were modified, and Govern- China's path to Reopening Schools - phased health, significant impact can be observed low-infrastructure rural areas the school may be the countries like Lebanon have opted to send kids home ments stepped in with school fee subsides. The full approach Win education sector stemming primarily only public building available. That may cause length- with lessons as homework, promoting independent recovery period took 18 months. The decision of reopening schools is delegated to from extended school closures. If we have a thorough ier disruption of education services making the build- distance learning with help from peers and parents, that It is therefore crucial to understand the extent to the province, city, county and district authorities with look on available data , to date, COVID19-driven ing unavailable for education purposes. would then be reinforced once school resumed. which the disruptions have impacted, or will impact the principle of minimizing possible re-occurring school closures have impacted over one billion stu- Moreover, as part of the coping mechanisms the In environments of low capacity and weak infra- learning - such as school closures, students and teach- infection and prioritizing needs of students. Authori- dents worldwide. As per current World Bank informa- practice of offering alternative services of remote structure, some countries have used education facili- ers' absenteeism, exams delays, families without suf- ties must also follow the criteria below: tion gathering as many as 160 countries are reporting learning may work better for those students in house- ties and staff to support the larger community during ficient means to send their children back to school etc. * Provinces must record zero new confirmed school closures and these numbers have increased sub- holds with better connectivity and with higher initial the crisis. For example, in areas of low or no connec- Reopening schools more resiliently if the existing COVID-19 cases for 28 consecutive days (in line with stantially since late February 2020. digital skills. This leaves those already disadvantaged tivity in communities, education facilities can be used education system has been struggling and schools do WHO requirement ) School closure decisions have to balance different further behind, so school closures with the inappropri- as information hubs of medical holding centers. not have basic infrastructure to meet the needs of stu- * All schools must be disinfected before the reopen- factors. On one hand, despite the low rates of infec- ate system coping mechanisms, might imply an exac- LESSONS FROM EBOLA OUTBREAK 2014- dents. Bringing education facilities back to the origi- ing. tion among children, school closures are a critical pil- erbation in inequality in education. 15 nal condition may not be enough if wash stations or * School reopening is gradual: higher grade (old- lar of the social distancing tools to mitigate the spread How can education mitigate COVID19's The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak of 2014, latrines are not available and leaves students vulnera- er students) return first followed by lower grades with of the disease and avoid an acceleration of cases that impact? infected 30,000 people, killed more than 13,000, ble once again to future health risks. So, recovering pre-primary returning last. This is also intended to will put a strain on health services. Its effectiveness as USING DISTANCE LEARNING caused economic and social devastation in three of the from crisis present opportunities to rebuild better. reduce large crowds on campus in the initial return a measure to slow down the spread of contagion will While schools are closed, many countries have world's most challenged countries. Many service Reductions in family incomes due to the econom- phase. depend on the exact timing of the closures, the age turned to distance learning as a means of mitigating delivery sectors suffered greatly, and education was no ic impacts of the crisis might impact attendance, in par- * Once reopened, if conditions allow, schools must structure of the population and the length of the clo- for lost time in continuing education services. Some exception as schools across Guinea, Liberia, and Sier- ticular where school fees are paid by families. If the enforce an "all-closure" management approach (no sure. countries are simply putting resources on their web- ra Leone closed for 8 months and the communities assessment identifies such instances, considerations of outsiders can enter) to reduce possible infection. On the other hand, extended interrupted education site, and making available more products, but not nec- went into practical lockdown attempting to curb the temporary cancelation of such fees or conditional cash * Schools are required to screen students' temper- that disengage students from the learning process has essarily online classes. Others, like Spain, are asking spreading. To address the crisis, each country devel- transfers to the most in need. ature for fever and enforce wearing of masks in the ini- the potential cost of reversing gains in learning results. teachers to prepare online content and offer online oped a recovery plan and sought Bank and other part- Governments can use the physical and human tial stage. An even higher cost comes from the disengagement of classes. Infrastructure and familiarity with the tools ner support to implement it. The World Bank and part- resources to address the epidemic. Given their level of Implement social distancing practices that may students with learning challenges (academic, socio- seem to be driving successes (and challenges) of deliv- ners helped Governments minimize the loss of learn- education and profile within communities as per the include: economic, students with special/diverse educational ering learning. China for example, with robust connec- ing using low tech tools like radio-based education pro- rate of literacy, educators can serve as advocates and * Staggering the beginning and end of the school day needs or persons with disabilities) who may not effec- tivity, is offering distance learning successfully where- grams and take-home learning packets. Teachers were resources that would increase awareness and provide * Cancelling assemblies, sports games and other tively cope with remote learning strategies or cannot as others with limited penetration of internet, cell recruited by Ministries of Health as contact tracers guidance. For example teachers can be trained on pro- events that create crowded conditions access the information. phone, or television (e.g. Vietnam, Mongolia) are find- while a few were also retained to develop lesson con- tocols for screening of children for fever and other * When possible, create space for children's desks In secondary schools, longer school closures could ing it difficult to reach all students equally. In addition, tent. As the infections decreased and the decision was symptoms and expanding awareness about the causes to be at least one metre apart result in an increased risk of dropout for youth, partic- many countries have challenges in ensuring that edu- made to reopen schools, Ministries of Education and of infection once schools are resumed. * Teach and model creating space and avoiding ularly from lower income groups. School closings also cation services are equally accessible for partners developed protocols and guidelines for disin- Limit physical contact by reducing social and unnecessary touching impact labor supply as they may increase the burden employees/students with disabilities. fecting and reopening of schools, distributed ther- extra-curricular activities. Many countries restricted or (The author is Chairman cum Director J & K Innovative Foundation on parents, who need to stay home or find new arrange- In addition to infrastructure and connectivity, mometers and sanitization supplies, and established cancelled extra-curricular, athletic, or community for Transforming Society, works at SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hos- ments if children have to stay at home (even worse teachers' and administrators' familiarity with the tools hand-washing stations at every school. To ensure a activities as a measure of reducing physical contact. pital Jammu.) when playground and children centers are closed). and processes are also key factors in providing dis- resilient recovery, teachers were trained in addressing This has been rolled out by individual schools, region- [email protected]

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