Udupi, Feb 18: The Ambalapadi G Shankar Trust has donated Rs 25 lakh to the families of martyred soldiers who were killed in Pulwama terror strike.

In a condolence programme organised by the District Mogaveera Youth Organisation, Ambalapadi G Shankar Family Trust, various schools and colleges, at Ambalapadi Shamily auditorium here on Monday, trust president G Shankar handed over the cheque for Rs 25 lakh to Additional Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari. 

Speaking on the occasion, G Shankar said that the amount given by the trust need to be utilized properly. Instead of sending the donation to the Prime Minister’s or Chief Minister’s Relief Funds, it should reach the families of martyred soldiers directly and the district administration should take up that responsibility, he said.

“The condition of soldiers who have been ensuring peaceful nights to the people of the country was at stake. So, they should be instilled confidence and strength. Like politicians and VVIPs, soldiers should also be given zero traffic rules and the Defence Ministry should take responsibility”, he said.

ADC Vidya Kumari said that the district administration has the onus of making sure the donation reaches the families of martyred soldiers.

Mogaveera Youth organization district president Vinay Karkera, Mogaveera Mahajana Sangha president Jaya C Kotian, Udupi DySP Jaishankar, Ajjarakadu government women’s college principal Bhaskar Shetty, lecturer Prof Nithyananda N, student Sameena, Prakash Malpe of Samvedana Trust , soldiers Tharanath, Umesh Suvarna, Suresh Barakur, Balaraj Pithrodi spoke on the occasion.

Udupi Tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar, Vijaya Bank deputy general manager Ravichandran, retired soldier Arun Kumar and others were present. Thousands of students, general public lit the candles and paid their respect to the departed souls.

“Compared to other districts, the number of people who joins army is low from the coastal districts due to lack of proper guidance, counseling and pressure on the youth. There is no background of people going to army. So, the district administration should make efforts in taking these numbers up”.

-          Suresh Babu,  Soldier

“I have been working in the army for the last 15 years. I have worked in both extreme cold and hot conditions. With the problems, this profession has a kind of thrill. Efforts should be made to encourage our youngsters to join army, and a child from every house should be in the army”.

-          Tharanath,  Soldier

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Ghazipur, Feb 17 (PTI): The family members of Param Vir Chakra awardee Abdul Hamid have expressed strong displeasure over the removal of the war hero's name from the main gate of a primary school in Ghazipur where he once studied.

After a recent painting work, the school in Dhamupur village in the district was renamed 'PM Shri Composite School', according to officials.

Jameel Ahmed, the grandson of Hamid, said the school was repainted four days ago. 'PM Shri Composite School' was painted at the entrance, replacing 'Shaheed Hamid Vidyalaya', he added.

When Ahmed and his family raised an objection with headmaster Ajay Kushwaha, he directed them to approach Basic Education Officer Hemant Rao.

According to the family members, Rao informed them that Hamid's name had been painted on one of the school's external walls. However, the entrance remained unchanged, the family claimed.

Dissatisfied, they filed another complaint on Saturday, demanding that the martyr's name be reinstated at the school's entrance. While Rao assured it would be done "immediately", Ahmed claimed that the name was still not displayed at the entrance, as of Monday, leaving the family "deeply hurt".

During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the US supplied Pakistan with Patton tanks which were believed to be invincible. Hamid, displaying extraordinary bravery, destroyed three of these tanks, forcing the enemy to retreat.

In recognition of his valour, the president posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra to his wife, Rasoolan Bibi.

When contacted, Rao said, "Shaheed Abdul Hamid's name would soon be reinstated at the school's main entrance, adding that it had already been inscribed on an external wall."