Govt reconstitutes committee for naming
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Sept 7: In a historic first, the Government is all set to rename a college and a road in Srinagar after the name of two prominent Kashmiri Pandits, thus honouring the community that was thrown out of the Valley 30 years ago.
Reliable sources told the Excelsior that Srinagar district administration has forwarded names of Padma Shri awardee play writer Late Moti Lal Keemu and Kashmiri poet, Late Zinda Koul for christening a college and a road, respectively.
Government Degree College Hyderpora is proposed to be renamed after Moti Lal Keemu, a resident of Zaindar Mohalla, downtown Srinagar, who was on hit list of militants and had to flee Kashmir in early nineties. The militants had threatened to eliminate him because he was trustee of a temple in his locality.
Similarly, Bund Road from Lal Chowk towards Zero Bridge Bakshi Stadium, has been proposed to be named after Late Zinda Koul `Masterji’, a well known Kashmiri poet, writer and a teacher. He was the first Kashmiri poet to win the Sahitya Academy Award in 1956, for his book of poetry compilations `Sumran’.
Besides, the administration has also recommended rechristening of Women College Srinagar and BHSS Jawahar Nagar before the name of renowned academicians, Late Prof Riyaz Punjabi and Late Prof Hamidi Kashmiri, respectively.
Pertinent to mention that the Union Territory Government had last month announced to name school, colleges, roads and buildings after unsung heroes, martyred Army, Police and CRPF personnel.
In this connection, Divisional Commissioners of both Kashmir and Jammu had written to all the Deputy Commissioners under their respective jurisdiction to constitute committees at the district level and identify such Government schools/colleges, roads that can be named after the martyrs. The Deputy Commissioners were asked to forward such list to the Divisional Commissioner’s office by August 5.
Christening a college and road before the names of two prominent Kashmiri Pandits assumes significance because of the forced migration of the community, which was hounded because of their identity and thrown out of their homes in the Valley with the eruption of Pakistan sponsored militancy here three decades ago.
Around five lakh people had to flee during that period and families of Moti Lal Keemu as well as Pt Zinda Koul were among them. This step is likely to revive the composite culture of the Kashmir valley and to immortalize the legacy of KP community, sources said.
Meanwhile, in wake of the Government decision to name schools, colleges, roads and buildings after martyrs and eminent personalities, the committee for making recommendations on the proposals in this regard was reconstituted today by the Government.
Headed by the Administrative Secretary, Home Department, the committee shall submit its recommendations to the Government for final decision by the Administrative Council.
Administrative Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj; Administrative Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Special Director General of Police (CID), J&K; Administrative Secretary GAD, Administrative Secretary, Culture Department and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir/Jammu are Members of the committee.
According to the sources, 150 roads and educational institutions shall be renamed after the local unsung heroes and martyrs in J&K.
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