Srinagar, Mar 12: The government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has set its priorities, with education and health at the forefront, as reflected in the funds allocated to these sectors, MLA Baramulla Javaid Hassan Beigh said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the budget session at the Legislative Assembly in Jammu, Beigh said that health and education are fundamental social sectors.
“PHE, health and education are the three sectors around which any society and its benefits revolve. If you can’t provide clean water, an effective education system and health institutions that can guarantee people’s lives and health, then you should understand that your society and your governments have not yet reached the level of democracy and human development from where a happy journey of humanity begins,” he said.
MLA Baramulla expressed concern over the state of these sectors over the past three decades. “Unfortunately, in the last 30 years, education and the health sector have suffered the most losses. Now, CM Omar has set his priorities. If you look at education and health, the funds allocated for them show that health and education are their priority,” he added.
However, Beigh added that government efforts alone would not be enough. “But we have to keep in mind that ‘Rome was not built in a single day’. Only the government can’t do anything about it. You are a respected pillar of this democracy. It is your role, the role of civil societies, the role of teachers, and the role of religious leaders. We have to build our nation with the resources we have. If education doesn’t build a nation, it doesn’t do anything,” he said.
The NC leader said education has a role in shaping a society. “The purpose of education is to build a nation and instill morality in people. The most honest nation in the world is Japan. There is no religious concept in Japan like we have here from morning to evening; Hindus talk about Hinduism, and Muslims talk about Islam. When you go home in the evening, you don’t even iota of honesty. So education is the foundation of a society,” he added.
MLA Beigh urged collective efforts to uplift society. “I hope that you and I will build this society with the help and blessings of Allah so that there aren’t issues for the future generation which you and I face today.”
