New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) Students from Jammu and Kashmir have given a "befitting answer" to terrorists with 95 per cent attendance in the Class 12 board examination, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said here on Tuesday, terming it as a "strong surgical strike".
"In the Valley, for the past several months, schools were shut and over 30 schools had been burnt, but students from the state have given a befitting answer to terrorists with the attendance of 95 per cent in Class 12 board exams," he said.
He said the country believed in learning through productive activities and education was the only way.
"Education is the only way. It is the weapon for development. We have already seen the army's surgical strikes. This response given to terrorists by students is a strong surgical strike."
The Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the national level cultural programme, "Kala Utsav".
He called the festival a celebration of art and cultural diversity and a learning experience that is beyond classroom teaching.
"It provides a platform for students to interact across different states of the country and provides an opportunity to understand each other's values, ethos in such manner as enriches one's personality," he said.
"This unity in diversity is an expression of strength of our nation," he added.
The festival will conclude with felicitation ceremony of winners at the Siri Fort Auditorium on November 18.
