Editorial 1: ​​​Rebuilding J&K

Context

People need safety and financial help to recover from the shelling and rebuild their lives.

Introduction

The border districts of Jammu and Kashmir have faced severe hardship in the aftermath of Pakistan’s shellingfollowing Operation Sindoor. Areas like Poonch and Uri suffered heavy civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit emphasized the dual focus on security and rehabilitation, bringing a measure of relief and assurance to the deeply affected population.

Impact of Pakistan’s Response to Operation Sindoor on Jammu and Kashmir

• Poonch district suffered the worst damage due to indiscriminate shelling from across the border.
• Residential areas in Poonch were heavily hit, with shelling also affecting towns in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Rajouri.
• The Indian government, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, emphasized both security and development during his visit to Poonch.

Damage Assessment and Casualties

• A committee formed by the BJP submitted a preliminary report to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Damage to civilian houses:

District	Houses Damaged
Poonch	690
Uri	534
Other areas	276 (approx.)
Total	1,500

• Civilian deaths: At least 18, including 14 in Poonch.
• Civilian infrastructure sustained significant damage.

Relief and Government Response

• A comprehensive relief package is planned.
• Construction of additional underground shelters for civilians is underway.
• The Jammu and Kashmir government is still assessing the full extent of the damages.
• Relief amount currently approved: Up to ₹1.2 lakh for fully damaged houses.
• Affected residents and displaced families feel the current relief amount is insufficient to rebuild multi-storey concrete homes.

Visits and Support

• Amit Shah visited the affected areas, showed solidarity, and distributed job appointment letters to families of deceased civilians.
• Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress representatives also visited victims.
• These visits helped reduce fear among border residents and boost morale.

Security and Civilian Safety

• The Indian Army’s statement that the India-Pakistan ceasefire “does not have an expiry date” reassures residents.
• Life is slowly returning to normal, though many homes remain damaged or shattered.
• So far, around 9,500 bunkers have been built by the Centre:

Region	Number of Bunkers Built
Jammu Division	8,000
Kashmir Valley	1,500

• There is a growing demand for individual bunkers in sparsely populated border areas, especially in the Kashmir Valley, to ensure quick shelter during shelling.

Way Forward

• The Central government and Jammu & Kashmir administration must collaborate closely.
• The priority is to provide adequate relief, build safe shelters, and restore normal life for border residents in distress.

Conclusion

Restoring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir demands urgent and sustained efforts. While relief measures and high-profile visits offer temporary reassurance, long-term peace hinges on adequate compensation, permanent infrastructure, and security guarantees. The Centre and the J&K administration must work in unison to rebuild lives, reinforce civilian safety, and uphold the dignity of affected border residents. 

Editorial 2: Don’t merely enrol students, but equip them with skills

Context                

Seeing education as a promise to society that links learning with jobs and real-life opportunities is very important.

Introduction

As the college admission season begins, many institutions across India are advertising their courses with promises of knowledge, personal growth, and top-quality research. More students are joining at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels, showing a growing and active education system. But a key problem remains — degrees are increasing faster than good job opportunities.

Unemployment Rises with Higher Education

• Data from the Ministry of Statistics shows a surprising trend:
  • The more educated a person is, the higher the chances of being unemployed.
• This reveals a serious gap between education and employability.
• There is an urgent need to align education with real job opportunities.

Struggles in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Colleges

• Most Indian students attend non-elite institutions, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.
• These colleges offer common degrees like:
  • BA (Bachelor of Arts)
  • BCom (Bachelor of Commerce)
  • BSc (Bachelor of Science) and their postgraduate versions.

Challenges Faced by These Institutions:

Area	Challenge
Infrastructure	Lack of modern resources
Industry Linkages	Limited corporate exposure
Curriculum	Outdated and less practical
Student Support	Weak career guidance & placement

• Unlike elite colleges that often appear in the news, the employability crisis in regular colleges is mostly ignored.

Theory-Heavy Learning, Skill-Light Outcomes

• Teaching focuses mostly on textbook theory, not real-world skills.
• Examples:
  • An English literature student may study Shakespeare, but not learn how to write a formal email.
  • An Economics graduate may grasp complex theories, but struggle with basic tools like Microsoft Excel.
  • Result: Many educated youth remain jobless, unable to turn their degrees into jobs.

Academic Culture vs Practical Needs

• In many places, theory is valued more than job readiness.
• Higher education is seen as a goal in itself, not a tool to get jobs.
• Many pursue PhDs or master’s degrees just to avoid the job market.
• This creates a cycle: students become teachers in the same system that lacks practical value.

Government Efforts and Remaining Gaps

• The government is aware of the problem.
• Initiatives launched include:
  • Skill India
  • Start-Up India
  • National Education Policy (NEP)
• Current Issues in Implementation:

Effort	Ongoing Problem
Skill-based learning	Still not fully integrated
Vocational courses	Often lack depth or hands-on training
Rote learning in degrees	Still dominates many programs
New-age programs (e.g. AI)	Poorly connected to job market demands

Global Lessons: Technical Education at the Core

• Countries like China and Japan have made technical and vocational education a key part of their economic strategies.
• In contrast, India still sees vocational training as a backup option.
• This social stigma weakens the impact and popularity of skill-based education.
• Despite being essential for job readiness, vocational courses are undervalued in both academia and society.

The Indian Dilemma: Degrees vs Jobs

• In India, a college degree is still seen as a symbol of social mobility.
  • However, degrees today no longer guarantee good jobs.
  • This doesn’t mean we should discard liberal arts or abstract learning:
    • These fields are still important for creativity and critical thinking.
  • But at the same time, education must also offer real economic value.

Reforms Needed: Making Education Practical

• General degree programmes should include job-relevant skills as core components, not just optional add-ons
• Suggested Core Skill Modules:

Skill Area	Example Skills
Communication	Public speaking, formal writing
Digital Literacy	Email writing, basic Excel, internet use
Finance	Budgeting, basic accounting
Data Handling	Data entry, analysis tools
Service Skills	Hospitality, tailoring, caregiving

• PhD and Doctoral programmes must also change:
  • Prepare students for jobs in policy, analytics, consulting, development, and industry — not just teaching.
  • Those who truly want to do research should pursue it — not as an escape from job competition.

The Government Job Obsession

• One reason for the heavy rush towards government jobs is the lack of private sector alternatives.
• These roles are still valuable, but:
  • More private jobs and startup opportunities must be made available.
  • Focus on enhancing employability will give youth more career choices.
  • This can also reduce pressure on competitive exams.

Conclusion

India must shift from viewing education as mere enrolment to treating it as a social contract that empowers youth with practical skills. Bridging the gap between learning and livelihood, especially in non-elite institutions, is essential. A reformed, skill-integrated curriculum can ensure that education not only inspires minds but also secures futures in a fast-changing economy.