Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 11: Veth Truvah (Vitasta Divas) the birthday of Vitasta also known as river Jehlum was celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety today. In this connection functions were held at different places by the Kashmiri Pandits in which the significance of the day was highlighted.
Daughters of Panun Kashmir (DOPK), Women Wing of Panun Kashmir organised Vitasta Divas, on the banks of Ranbir Canal, Rajinder Park at here while Vetasta Devasthan Prabandak Committee (VDPC, Verinag performed the function at Swami Kral Bub Ashram, Bantalab.
DOPK said the Kashmiri Pandit community has been observing this day in exile at the same venue for the last 28 years. The function was presided over by Dr. Ritu Bakshi, vice chairperson-DOPK who also conducted the proceedings of the programme. Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, BJP State spokesperson on Kashmir Affairs was the chief guest on the occasion. Those who spoke on the occasion included Virender Raina, president, PK, Vijay Raina, Sarpanch (Chowgam-Kulgam), PNBMT secretary, Sundrilal Kaul and S.K Bhat, senior activist-PK.
The Panun Kashmir Flag was hoisted on the occasion by the activists of DOPK while the oath to continue the struggle in exile was administered to the participants by the secretary of DOPK, Vimla Chrungoo. “Deep-Viserjan” was performed by the participants after recitation of Vitasta-aarti. J.L.Kaul, senior, vice president, PK felicitated Namrata Bhan on her qualifying the KAS this year on behalf of DOPK.
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo in his address said that the consistent and continuous struggle in exile of the Pandits has borne its fruit at national and international level. It goes to the credit of the displaced community that the geo-political and cultural moorings stand strengthened today with the resilience exhibited by the community. The abrogation of Article 370 and 35A coupled with the re-organisation of the Jammu and Kashmir State is the direct outcome of the struggle in exile.
Virender Raina president PK in his speech emphasized that the Vitasta Divas observation has a strong religio-cultural message with geo-political overtones. Dr. Ritu Bakshi in her address gave a brief of the DOPK activities.
Upinder Kaul and Kamal Bagati, general secretaries of P K complemented all the participants and the function concluded with distribution of ‘Prashad’ to the participants.
A large number of devotees attended the function organised by VDPC, Veerinag at Kral Bab Ashram Bantalab. On the occasion a Maha Yagya was solemnized under the supervision of Jyotshi Ratan Lal Sharma and Rakesh Sharma while Avtar Krishan Koul and Ashok Ji Koul were Yajmans. This year’s traditional flag of Mata Vitasta was hoisted by Bushan Lal who was the highest bidder among the other devotees.
Addressing the function general secretary of the VDPC, R K Bhat demanded the pre-existing position of both the historical shrines of Verinag in South Kashmir i.e
Vitasta Ashram and ancient Omouh Shiv temple.
He said the Committee was celebrating the day at its original place Veth-vatru in Verinag. But due to prevailing situation in Kashmir the function has been held here this year.
The function started yesterday evening with Maha Yagya which concluded with Puran Ahuti this afternoon followed by serving of Prashad to devotees.
The other working Committee members of VDPC who attended the function included H N Pandita, Moti Lal Koul, Adv M K Raina, Shadi Lal Bhat, Radha Krishan, M K Koul, Tej Krishan Raina, Omkar Nath Bhat, B N Tickoo, B K Bhat and Rocky Pandita.
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