Exodus of Pandits was biggest tragedy of 20th Century: Khatana

Editor Times Now, Pardeep Dutta being presented Gash Taruk Award 2023 at a function in Jammu on Sunday.
Editor Times Now, Pardeep Dutta being presented Gash Taruk Award 2023 at a function in Jammu on Sunday.

YAIKS organizes Heyrath Milan

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 12: Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) organised the Heyrath Milan here, today under the leadership of its president, R K Bhat.
MP Rajya Sabha , Ghulam Ali Khatana was the chief guest on the occasion while Additional Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo was the guest of honour.
In his address MP, Ghulam Ali Khatana held Pakistan responsible for fomenting trouble in Kashmir and mass exodus of minority Pandits. He termed the KPs exodus a greatest tragedy of 20th century.
Khatana said the Kashmiri Pandits are one of the richest heritage and civilization in the world and he has been closely associated with the community especially during his training period in Engineering College.
Expressing concern over the targeted killings he hoped that Government will take steps in ensuring the security, safety and welfare of the community.
The MP said Narendra Modi Government has taken a tough stand against the terrorists and they are feeling the heat of security forces and are on run now. He said the life span of terrorists has been reduced and assured the organisers that he will take up their issues in appropriate forum for redressal.
Eminent singers of the UT, Waheed Jeelani, Deeepali Wattal, Mehmeet Syed, Raja Bilal, and some young talented singers and artists made the occasion graceful and cheerful by their melodious voices.
Roopanshi Bhat enlightened the audience with the importance and significance of Maha Shivratri.
The three ‘Gash Taruk Awards-2023’ were conferred to Rahul Bhat (posthumously), who was martyred in Kashmir during duty hours in the month of May this year. The noted singer and music composer Waheed Jeelani was awarded for his outstanding contribution and recognition in the field of Kashmiri music and its revival, promotion and preservation. The Senior Journalist and Editor Times Now, Pradeep Dutta who was adjudged during the prestigious 14 th Edition of ENBA 2021 news broadcasting awards and was also conferred Best journalist Award by the J&K Government earlier was given award for his bold, hard reporting and investigative journalism today. The young and budding artists of the community were also awarded.
The awards were presented to them By MP Ghulam Ali Khatana and Additional Chief Secretary, Atul Dulloo.
R.K. Bhat president, YAIKS in his address said that besides, reconnecting the community to their lost roots the objective of the programme is restoration of peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed community to be united to get justice, their motherland back and the miseries faced by the community for last three decades.
“Young generation of the community has to play a vital role in this regard and struggle for their existence in their motherland., YAIKS is committed to take community struggle to its logical conclusion”, he added.
Others who graced the occasion included S N Koul, retd. Commissioner Sales Tax, B L Saraf, retired District and Session Judge, Dr K K Kaul, Dr C N Dhar, Dr. Ayash Arif, Actor and Director, Virendar Raina, president, PK, Ashok Sidha, president, Martand Sabha, P.N Shad, Krishan Langoo, Sheela Handoo, councilor, Ravi Mahaldar and others.
Welcome address was given by general secretary of the organization Sanjeev Koul and vote of thanks was presented by the vice president, Manoj Handoo, while programme was conducted by P K Raina.