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This is an archive article published on June 12, 2010

Navodayas: No Rajiv busts,only saplings

Within days of The Indian Express reporting that over 570 government-run Navodaya Vidyalayas were asked to install statues of Rajiv Gandhi ahead of the former PM’s 66th birth anniversary on August 20...

Within days of The Indian Express reporting that over 570 government-run Navodaya Vidyalayas were asked to install statues of Rajiv Gandhi ahead of the former PM’s 66th birth anniversary on August 20,the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) has withdrawn the order. Instead,the Navodayas will remember the former PM by planting saplings.

As reported by this newspaper on June 4,in a letter dated 21 May,NVS Commissioner Manoj Singh had asked principals of all Navodaya Vidyalayas and Deputy Commissioners of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas Regional offices to “suitably and appropriately” install the bust of Rajiv Gandhi on August 20 in each school at a “prominent place in the Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van”.

Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Vans (a green corner) have,incidentally,been set up at every Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya in memory of the late PM under during tenure Navodya schools were started.

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Schools had also been reminded that planting saplings in the Smriti Vans must be treated as “top most priority”. Schools should use fast growing plants,locally available and suitable as per climatic conditions,soil,availability of water and so on,so that they look presentable enough by July 31 itself,the letter had said.

However,in a letter dated June 7,a copy of which is with The Indian Express,the NVS Commissioner has withdrawn his earlier order.

“Commissioner,NVS has further desired that in place of installing a bust,you may organise a mass plantation programme and other suitable programmes in memory of the founder of the scheme on his forthcoming birth anniversary”,the letter reads. “We are confident that you have initiated appropriate action for plantation of trees etc. in your Vidyalaya as per directions conveyed in this letter.”

The letter also seeks a detailed compliance report by August 31.

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