Call to Educate New Generation on True Meaning of Victory Day

As the Maldives prepares to commemorate Victory Day on November 3, a new opinion piece by Laisha Ahmed on Raajje TV highlights the urgent need to convey the true meaning of the national holiday to the younger generation. The article reflects on the November 3, 1988 attack, which endangered the territorial integrity of the Maldivian state and serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of a nation when its independence is threatened. For many Maldivians who lived through that incident, it remains a memory filled with fear and anxiety. However, the writer questions whether the new generation truly understands the importance of that day and its historical lessons. The writer calls for bringing the significance of Victory Day into homes, classrooms and society. Beyond the events of 1988, children must be taught why people were ready to sacrifice their lives to defend the country. Children should know the names of the heroes of that day, understand how the attack was carried out, and comprehend the dangerous consequences that could arise for a small country like the Maldives. The article emphasizes that unity is the most important foundation for a small country like the Maldives. Although the islands are separated by the sea, they are connected by history, language, religion and characteristics of unity. The November 3 incident reminds Maldivians that when the country's sovereignty is threatened, its impact affects every Maldivian living in every island. Schools are urged to play a major role by providing opportunities for students to hear stories from witnesses, and by using historical photos and documentaries. Security forces along with the general public must clarify the sacrifices made to students. Families also bear responsibility, with conversations between parents and children about what happened on November 3 serving to create real love and connection in children's hearts towards the country's history. As the Maldives develops, challenges may change and the responsibilities of the people of 1988 may differ from those entrusted to today's young generation. However, the writer argues that the fundamental responsibility remains the same: to safeguard the independence, dignity and future of the Maldives. Victory Day serves as a reminder that securing the country is not just the responsibility of one institution or one generation, but a national effort that everyone must undertake together.