Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: The 102nd Jayanti of Pt Prem Nath Shastri a doyen of Kashmiri culture was observed today. In this connection a grand function was organised by Pt Prem Nath Shastri Sanskritik Shodh Sansthan at Jyotshi Karyalya, Gole Gujral in which former DGP, Kuldeep Khoda was the chief guest while president KP Sabha, K K Khosa was the guest of honour. Besides representations of various KP organisations were present on the occasion.
Pushap Archana was also performed on the occasion and the people were later served Prashad after its culmination.
Speaking on the occasion, Kuldeep Khoda paid glowing tributes to late Shastri Ji and highlighted his contribution in preserving the Kashmiri culture even after the mass exodus of the community. He said besides, a distinguished scholar of Shastras, Pt. Prem Nath Shastri was a great social reformer and thinker ahead of his time who believed in practical and scientific ways of life.
He said with his pragmatic way of thinking he introduced reforms in the community with changing times which showed his farsighted and open mindedness.
K K Khosa, while paying tributes to Shastri Ji said that the community can’t forget his role and leadership qualities. He gave a new direction to community after its mass exodus in 1990 so that the people leading an exiled life in different parts of world can perform their age old rituals and traditions smoothly.
Pt Omkar Nath Shastri in his welcome address highlighted the role of Shodh Sansthan and said that it is committed to keep the legacy of Pt Prem Nath Shastri and Jyotshi Parivar intact. He said the main contribution of this Parivar is publication of annual Panchang which is like a Dharmic granth for the Kashmiri Pandits and there is no Pandit family which does not keep this almanac in its house.
He said the Sansthan has decided to set up an institution for research in UT and in this regard it has approached Government for allotment of land.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Pt Avtar Krishan Shastri while Bushan Lal Shastri organised the programme. Rajesh Khaar a well known singer and his team recited religious bhajans on the occasion. The stage was managed by P K Raina.
Another programme was organised by Swami Kumar Ji at Pune in which rich tributes were paid to Shastri Ji by him.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
