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Don't know what to do with your old PC? Don't sell it. Instead give it away and in return earn the gratitude of the neglected children of...

Don8217;t know what to do with your old PC? Don8217;t sell it. Instead give it away and in return earn the gratitude of the neglected children of Kashmir. The Kargil conflict succeeded in bringing the needs of our jawans into focus. Suddenly they were at the receiving end of our appreciation, empathy and charity. But what about the civilians who live around the areas where the conflict took place? The men women and children who lose their homes, their relatives and peace to the terrorists8217; bombings, who cares about them? While citizens have done their bit to help the soldiers and their families, not many have given the civilians a thought.

Says Col.Anil Athale coordinator, Indian Initiative for Peace and Disarmament IN PAD a non-government organisation working for Kashmiris, 8220;We founded IN PAD five years ago when we realised the problems faced by the people of Kashmir.8221;

Affiliated to the Bharati Vidyapeeth, IN PAD has sent it volunteers to Kashmir and the problem they feel lies with the socio-economic structure. Says Athale,8220;In our opinion, the violence in Kashmir is increasing mainly due to the lack of proper education. Children learn only what the madarasas Islamic theology schools teach them, as the State schools are dysfunctional. 8220;A tehsil in Poonch district has a population of two lakhs and only 20 schools. Here not even one person has completed his SSC. That is the state there. We felt that we should do something about it. So, in cooperation with the Army that has started some schools in Kupwara area in North Kashmir, IN PAD donated four computers. On our founder members, Lt. Gen. R.V. Kulkarni retd, presented them on an experimental basis.8221;

Computers to children who do not have access to basic education? Seems like a wee bit ambitious. But Athale has an explanation, 8220;Teacher absenteeism is a huge problem in schools there. Add terrorism and you have no one who is interested in attending school. Computers to a population that is backward, has at least aroused a curiosity in them.8221;

This initial curiosity seems to have worked for the early report sent in May said that the children were very enthusiastic about their computer-aided class. Now, they also play the games that have been loaded onto the PCs. The Urdu keyboard, simple chemistry and geography lessons have helped upgrade the teacher8217;s skills as well. IN PAD plans to open 10 such centres in Doda district alone and 10 in other areas. Says Athale, 8220;We need 100 computers and are hoping that people would come forward with their old 386 and 486 versions. It would help not just pull the kids to school but keep them away from unwanted influences.8221;

Anybody listening?