An official circular from the education department in Satara, Maharashtra, that had asked schools and colleges to celebrate Valentine’s Day as ‘Mother’s Day’ in the district has been withdrawn following criticism. A fresh circular superseding the original circular that had been issued to the educational institutions has now been issued.
The earlier circular had been sent to many private and public schools and a few colleges in the district, asking them to ‘make a difference’ and dedicate V-Day to ‘mothers’. In it the institutions had been directed to make the students recite a particular poem dedicated to mothers.
The circular had also asked them to take photographs of the ‘event’ and submit it to the district education officer.
The second circular, that was sent later in the day, overrode the earlier order and informed school authorities that no such activity was to be taken up. The second circular was issued by district education officer Pravin Ahire.
When asked about this, Maharashtra Education minister Vinod Tawde confirmed that the local authorities in Maharashtra's Satara district had issued the circulars to all the schools under Panchayat Samitis in the district to observe February 14 as Mother's Day.
"The circular was issued by the local authority. The state government doesn't go with the views of these local authorities," Tawde told Rediff.com over the phone.
The minister had said the person who issued the circular had done it with good intentions. However, he added, "It is not his job. He should not have done it."
See a copy of the original circular HERE
A copy of the second circular which rejected the earlier order can be seen HERE.
