Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that there is a discernible change in the situation in Kashmir valley now and gone are the days when politicians were making one statement in Delhi, another in Jammu and third in Kashmir.
Addressing the ‘Herath Milan Samaroh’ organised by ‘Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj’, (YAIKS) here today, the Lt Governor said there is a strong Government at Centre and in last 10 years the entire work culture has changed in the country. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working hard to take the country ahead. He exuded confidence and expressed hope that the day will not be faraway when Kashmiri Pandits will definitely organise this Herath Milan in Kashmir.
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He said Herath fosters unity and inspires people to serve their motherland.
The Lt Governor extended his felicitations to the people on the occasion. He appreciated the ‘Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj’ for working towards the welfare of the people of J&K for over two decades and reconnecting future generations of the community with their roots.
He said the UT administration, under the guidance of Prime Minister, is working with the resolve of ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’.
Mahashivratri, which is celebrated as ‘Herath’ by Kashmiri Pandit community is an integral part of our rich cultural and spiritual heritage. May the festival usher in happiness, prosperity and well-being of all, he said.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor honoured Dr B N Thusoo and Advocate Sunil Sethi with Gash Taruk Award 2024.
R K Bhat, president Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj in his address while highlighting the plight of displaced Pandits said that the community has pinned high hopes in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He expressed the hope that this Government will take all the steps for renovation and restoration of Hindu shrines and temples in Kashmir Valley which are the cultural monuments.
Bhat demanded that election in the community be held for the nomination to two Assembly seats which were reserved for migrants recently. He also demanded a package of 15,000 more jobs for KP youth saying that the community youth are eager to return Kashmir and serve there.
Bhat said that the main aim of celebrating Herath Milan every year is to reconnect the community to it’s lost roots and so they celebrate the pious occasion of Mahashivratri collectively.
Pran Nath Pandit, a well known scholar read a paper highlighting the religious significance of Har Ratri (Maha Shivratri). He regretted that for last 35years the community is celebrating this sacred festival in exile and how long it will go?
Pandit said KPs are nationalists to core and they can’t compromise on nation’s unity and integrity which is supreme to them but Kashmir is our motherland and how long the community will have to remain outside their birth place.
Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo, former Vice Chancellor, Allahabad Central University said that YAIKS is doing a good work by linking the community youth to its roots and culture. The organisation is working in an organised way having representatives from all districts of Kashmir, he added.
He said despite facing many odds, the community deserves credit for preserving its age old cultural ethos.
Dr Raj Nehru, Vice Chancellor Skill Development University, Palwal Haryana, while stressing on connecting the community with the roots said this is the need of the hour. He said Shivratri is most sacred festival of Kashmiri Pandits and a central point to connect the community across the globe and we must keep this tradition alive at any cost.
On the occasion cultural programmes were held by some renowned artists highlighting the significance of the festival.
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