Glowing tribute paid to martyr Premi
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 1: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today made it clear that the Government is making all efforts to eradicate terrorism and working with the firm intention to establish peace in the Union Territory of J&K.
click here to watch video
Addressing a function here to pay homage to poet and freedom fighter, Sarwanand Koul Premi on his death anniversary, he also said that “We have got success to an extent in destroying the terror ecosystem” that has inflicted a deep wound not only on Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country.
“I can say one thing with confidence that we have no intention to buy peace. But we are working with the intention to establish peace (in Jammu and Kashmir). We have got success to an extent in destroying the terror ecosystem,” Sinha said.
Terrorism has inflicted a deep wound not only on Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country, the Lieutenant Governor said.
“It is not the wound inflicted on Jammu and Kashmir but on entire India. Efforts are being made to eradicate terrorism and the terror ecosystem (from Jammu and Kashmir). To what extent we have been successful, I cannot say,” Sinha said.
There are people who have “infiltrated the ecosystem of governance from here to Delhi during the past 75 years”, he said.
“They don’t allow people to stay and work in the system. But the situation has changed. Those people who watch Jammu and Kashmir, also agree on this,” the LG said.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir will gain back its pristine glory. “It is not only important for Jammu and Kashmir but for the whole of India,” he said.
Remembering Sarwanand Koul Premi, the LG said he was a towering man of ideas and ideals.
He was undoubtedly one of the greatest writers of his time with deep commitment for upliftment of the downtrodden and weaker sections of society, Sinha said.
“Sarwanand made great contributions to the freedom struggle and infused new life in the bonds of our national unity. Throughout his life, he followed the universal and eternal values of peace, co-existence and cooperation,” the LG said.
Jammu Kashmir is called heaven on earth, not only because of its scenic beauty, but also for great personalities such as Sarwanand Koul, who dedicated his life to serve the others, he said.
Sinha also asked that the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to promote the literary work of Sarwanand Koul Premi by publication and translation of his books. “This should be taken up on priority. There will be no shortage of funds,” the LG said.
Sarwanand Koul was conferred with the lifetime achievement award posthumously by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in 2022. A higher secondary school in his village Sof-Shali (Saft-Shaleshwar) in Anantnag was also named after him in that year.
His name was also included in the list of ‘unsung heroes of the Freedom Movement’ under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav and a special postal cover and stamp on him was released by the Ministry of Communication in 2021.
On May 01, 1990, Premi along with his son Virender Koul was killed by terrorists.
“Sarwanand was not only a famous writer but also a well known teacher in Kashmir valley who became the medium of divinity for many and inspired the masses to follow the ideals enshrined in our ageless culture and selflessly served the society,” said the Lt Governor.
“His life and teachings will continue to be relevant in the 21st century. I would urge the social and literary organizations to come together to spread his teachings to the people across the country”, added the Lt Governor.
Rajinder Premi, son of Sarwanand Koul Premi while expressing gratitude to the J&K Administration and JKAACL for promoting the literary work of his late father said his remaining works need to be published and Government should come forward for the same. He also demanded that Devnagri script be made an alternative script for writing Kashmiri along with Nastaliq.
Justice (retd) B L Bhat who was the guest of honour on the occasion highlighted the plight of the displaced KPs and termed the mass exodus of the community in 198-90 the worst tragedy of the 20th century.
He said the terrorism has a nexus with the plight of the community. He however lauded the Lt Governor and his administration for writing a golden chapter for UT of J&K.
Maintaining that Kashmir was a seat of learning from times immemorial when world does not know anything about civilization, he said Sharda was a university prior to Taxila.
He said Pakistan wanted to annex Kashmir and the Kashmiri Pandits seemed an obstacle in their design and they indulged in mass killings of its members.
He while lauding present dispensation said “We have been able to attain semi balance of authority which in 1990 was not there.
Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary JKAACL, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the steps taken by Academy in promoting literary works of Premi, senior officials and eminent literary personalities were also present on the occasion. The stage was managed by Bindya Tickoo.
Later, a cultural programme was also organised by the Academy in which many artists and writers took part. Papers on the life and history of Premi were read by Ghulam Nabi Atish and Dr Gulzar Rahter. Tribute were paid to Premi at different programmes organised by Papharan Nag/Karkut Nag Trust, Swami Kumar Ji Geeta Satsangh Ashram, Sarwanand Premi Higher Secondary School, Soaf Shali, Anantnag and Kashmir Pandit Conference led by Kundan Kashmir at New Delhi.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
