‘Wall of valour’ to be a voluntary project, no aid from Centre: Javadekar

HEROES Contributions from students, teachers to support initiative

The “Wall of Valour”— displaying portraits of 21 soldiers decorated with Param Veer Chakra —that is proposed to be erected at a thousand educational institutions in the country will be a voluntary project with no government funding, human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar said here on Tuesday.

He said these walls would be built on “contributory funding” by students and teachers on “voluntary” basis.

“Organising such events help in changing atmosphere in our colleges and universities. It is just to revive the patriotic feeling in our youth. We are not interested in teaching lessons of patriotism to anyone as it is innate in every individual. But its continuous revival is a dire need. We do not want to force it,” said Javadekar at the function that was attended by vice-chancellors of universities and principals of schools, among others.

Incidentally, the initiative for the project was taken by Tarun Vijay, former MP and former edi- tor of RSS mouthpiece, Panchjanya. Over 1,000 colleges and schools across the country will display the “Wall of Valour”. The minister launched the nationwide campaign — Vidya-Veerta Abhiyan — to inspire the youth by honouring soldiers.

However, the minister said construction of the wall is voluntary and Centre will not issue any grants. “We live a protected life because of out brave soldiers. Students and teachers should be encouraged to pool in money to do this,” he said.

IIT director, KV commissioner, and officials from a number of central universities participated in the event. Delhi university, JNU, KV schools will start the process of putting up a wall soon. The initiative is the brainchild of former BJP MP and RSS leader Tarun Vijay who called it “a humble attempt to inculcate patriotism in the students”.

Under the campaign, varsities schools and colleges will set up walls measuring 15 X 20 feet, featuring portraits of 21 soldiers decorated with Param Veer Chakra.

PTI PHOTO Human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar presents a portrait of Param Vir Chakra awardees to JNU ProVC Chintamani Mahapatra at the launch of the Vidya, Veerta Abhiyaan in New Delhi on Tuesday.