Excelsior Correspondent
RS PURA, Oct 26: Asserting the commitment of National Conference to combat unemployment, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Saturday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has taken up with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh the issue regarding special package for recruitment in armed and paramilitary forces for the border youth living along International Border and Line of Control from Kathua to Gurez.
The Provincial President was speaking at a function held in connection with Shaheedi Diwas of Sepoy Subash Chandra of 10 Dogra who offered supreme sacrifice while fighting elements inimical to nation at Budhal in the Rajouri sector this day in 2000.
While Mr Rana was the chief guest on the occasion, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Rajesh Kumar was the guest of honour.
Mr Rana paid glowing tributes to the martyr and said he has left an indelible mark of heroism for others to emulate. He said he has not only made his valiant parents proud but brought glory to the State as well.
The Provincial President exhorted the youth to come forward and play their useful role in nation building. “This can be done by dint of determination and dedication”, he observed.
Referring to the problems faced by the border people in the wake of shelling from across the border for past few weeks, Mr Rana said this is a situation that was not expected as India had engaged Pakistan in a meaningful dialogue. The ceasefire agreement of 2003, he said, had worked well for almost a decade bringing cheer in the lives of the people. He hoped good sense to prevail upon Pakistan so that this nightmarish era ends which has created uncertainty among the border dwellers. At the same time, he urged the people not to get panicky and stay put in their areas as the security forces and the Government were well poised to meet the situation.
Mr Rana referred to the visit of Chief Minister to the affected areas twice this week and said that he has taken up this issue with appropriate level. He said continued tension on borders is not in the larger interest of the people of border areas and sagacity demands Pakistan to see reason and end it forthwith. “This has been unequivocally emphasised by Omar Abdullah time and again”, he maintained.
The Provincial President lauded the valour of border people for facing the brunt with high degree of fortitude and said that wherever he met the sufferers, either in the temporary shelter places or in the hospitals, he found their morale high.
Earlier, the speakers paid glowing tributes to Martyr Subash Chander and highlighted various facets of his heroic life.
Among those present on the occasion included Taranjeet Singh Tony and the prominent citizens of the area.
Meanwhile, Mr Rana sought larger role for women in decision making and social awakening with thrust against female foeticides, saying their contribution has been immense in shaping the destiny of nation.
Speaking at a function held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan where a group of women led by Anju Grover joined National Conference, the Provincial President referred to enviable role being played by women in politics, administration, economy and other spheres of socio-political activities.
The new entrants were warmly greeted and profusely garlanded by the party leaders, including MLA Bimla Luthra.
Exuding confidence that joining of more and more people in the NC fold will take the party to highest pinnacles of success, the Provincial President exhorted women to come forward in a big way and contribute in the social awakening and political awareness of people, especially the women folk in remote and far off areas.
Those present on the occasion included Vice President Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial Secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, ex-Legislators Brij Mohan Sharma, Haji Mohammad Hussain, Haji Nissar Khan, Satpal Lakhotra, Rajesh Bakshi, Dilshad Begum, Veena Oberai, Iqbal Wani, Sajjad Shaheen, Pankaj Kohli, Mudasir Zargar, Sayed Jat and others.
Those who joined the party on the occasion included Anju Grover, Chander Gandotra, Rakhi Gandotra, Shivani Bharti, Megha Bharti, Sunita Bharti, Verrta, Rita Verma, Sweety, Dimpy Gupta, Siqra, Ridhi Mahajan, Rajni Mahajan, Prasang and others.
Follow our WhatsApp channel