Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: Glowing tributes were paid to Shiv Sena icon Bala Sahib Thackeray by a host of eminent personalities of Jammu city in general and displaced Kashmiri Pandits in particular in an all party Shraddhanjali- meeting organised by Panun Kashmir (PK) under the leadership of its convener Dr Agnishekhar here today.
Various socio- political stalwarts, from across their party lines, academicians, writers, artists, religious saints and students attended the meeting and observed two minutes silence in the memory of the departed leader who was lauded as an exceptionally bold and courageous patriot.
Dr Agnishekhar while expressing deep gratitude on behalf of entire exiled Kashmiri Pandit community recalled how Bala Sahib Thackeray played a pivotal role in providing technical education to the displaced children in professional institutions in Maharashtra State at a time when Kashmiri Pandits were forced to live animal existence in conditions akin to genocide in the refugee camps due to the State and Central Governments’ policy of neglect and apathy towards them. Recognizing this contribution of Mr Thackeray Panun Kashmir honored him with prestigious Sharda- Samman on 2nd World Kashmiri Pandit conference in 1998, he added.
The State Shiv Sena president Ashok Gupta who immersed the ashes of Bala Sahib Thackeray in Tawi recently, recalled how the Sena supremo arrived on the political scene like a storm after the collapse of Communists in Mumbai and left a significant mark in the polity of India. He said Sena supreme was a big threat to terrorists and separatists.
Hailing Balasaheb Thackeray as a forth right person, Rajesh Kesari president Shiv Sena Hindustan appreciated his disapproval of Government of India’s soft- State policy with mischievous Pakistan. Dr.R.L.Bhat of Vichar Manch hailed Bal Thackeray as senior most patriotic leader ,who contributed to evolve Hindu discourse as significant political idea in the country. H.L.Chatta president ASKPC demanded that a national memorial in fond memory of Bala Saheb Thackeray be constructed in Mumbai.
Describing Bal Thackeray as a strong patriot youth for Panun Kashmir functionary Umesh Kaul held that he always strived to inculcate the sense of pride in its people. He proposed that community should institute an excellence award in the name of Bala Sahib Thackeray for the downtrodden students in Jammu.
P L Badgami , functionary of KHC said in the death of Bala Sahib the backbone of KP community was wrecked. Pratap Singh Jamwal appealed the people in general to be vigilant against nefarious design of Islamist Fundamentalism in the State.
KPC president Kundan Kashmiri hailed Bal Thackery as messiah of Kashmiri Pandit community and wished that this nation needs an assertive leader like him at the Centre. Youth leader Ashtoush Kaul appealed the youngsters in the diaspora to remember always Mr Thackeray in shaping their destiny in exile.
Kashmira Vahini National spoksperson Dr.Kshama Kaul said displaced Pandits are neck deep indebted to the departed leader for providing real healing touch in terms of admissions to our children in exile.
Prof M K Raina chairman, Political Affairs Committee of P K highlighted how Bal Thackeray in the personal sphere was a friend with even those who were his political adversaries which is missing nowadays in the country’s political spectrum. KP activists at various places in the country also paid homage to Sena leader.
A condolence meeting was held by Kashmiri Samiti Delhi (KSD) in memory of Bala Sahib Thackeray at Kashmir Bhawan today. Kashmiri Pundits from different parts of Delhi NCR participated in the programme to pay their respectful homage to the departed leader.
A portrait of Bala Sahib was garlanded. The prominent persons who participated in the Shradanjali meeting included J L Bhat, Sunil Shakdhar, Dr L N Dhar, Dr Romesh Raina, Ramesh Manawati, T N Razdan, M L Raina, Dr H L Saraf, Ashutosh Taploo and many others.
The meeting began with two minutes silence in his memory. All the people paid fulsome tributes to late Balasaheb. He was described as the greatest practitioner of Hindutva, which he exhibited many a times and send a strong message that terrorism was unacceptable in India.
The members of KP community described him as the messiah of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, whom he helped at a time when they were politically orphaned and left to fend for themselves and they owed a great debt of gratitude to this noble soul. Had he not come on the scene probably their plight would have been different.
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