Students back to schools after five days of Indo-Pak tension

After having some sleepless nights for at least five days and no clarity on the forthcoming action amid the tension between India and Pakistan, local students returned to their respective institutions today.

All educational institutions were opened today after being completely shut since May 8, following a series of drone attacks by Pakistan on many Indian cities and towns. The ‘war-like’ situation had forced many to remain in their homes. While school students remained confined to isolation with families in Chandigarh, college hostellers left the city for their native cities and towns only to return yesterday.

“Even before the announcement of the closure of colleges, I left for my native city Patiala. As soon as the news about Pakistan hitting India with drones spread, my parents asked me to leave the city. While I was on my way, they informed me that Chandigarh was also reported to be one of their targets,” said Rajiv Singla, a student of a local college in Sector 32. His roommate Ankit Bansal added that: “My parents have made a special emergency bag for me. It contains packed food, first aid kits, mobile phone charger, torch, an air tag (GPS) and a small phone along with some other articles. In case of emergency, they advised me to pick only this bag, if needed, and rush to some nearby safe place.”

Not only these two youngsters, many school students also carried a mix of emotions on the opening day after the recent attacks. “I still look up in the sky, whenever a plane hovers, in fear. I had never heard an emergency siren and it was for the first time, I actually felt the power of fighter planes flying over Chandigarh. I am happy to be back at my school, sharing the experience with friends...but I am also curious about the future,” said Pankhuri Sharma, a Class VIII student.

Majority of school students were asked to share their experience of the last few days at many local schools so as to lighten their heart. “Such counselling was really important, especially for school students. It was not an easy moment to experience for anyone, but the children may have been deeply affected,” added a faculty of a Sector 26 school.