According to an old Kashmiri adage thieves do not enter a beggar's house. But then thieves in those times followed principles. But present day `civilised' thieves have no principles. They do not spare beggars even.Muhammad Fakir, a blind beggar from Bhundlate village of Rajouri district had made it a point to educate his children. His eldest son after passing his matriculation examination joined Government Higher Secondary School in Rajouri for further studies. He did his BA from Government Degree College in Rajouri and then completed B.Ed.
He applied for Rehbar-e Taleem (ReT) teacher in his village in January this year. Under the ReT scheme, a teacher is recruited for the village school for five years at Rs 1,500 per month. After five years of service, ReT is regularized in the department as a teacher. Only the highest qualified person in the village is taken as an ReT.
Tufail was, however, shocked when he found that a less qualified than him, was chosen for the job. Tufail now sits with his father with a begging bowl. "It is to protest against the system, which is corrupt. I know what I had to go through to qualify BA and B.Ed. I know how my siblings are suffering while pursuing education. It is not easy for the daughters and sons of a beggar to get education, to attend school and college," Tufail said. The education department has sought time to consider his case. Tufail has threatened hunger strike outside Chief Minister's residence incase justice was not done to him.
(Early Times)
