Any bid to distort ourheritage Protest demonstrations, meetings,...
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Home Guards of the State under the banner of All J&K Home Guard Welfare Association today took out a protest rally from Mubarak Mandi, demanding implementa- tion of Supreme Court order regarding bringing Home Guards at par with regular con- stables of police department. Hundreds of Home Guards drawn from various parts of Jammu region today assembled at Mubarak Mandi complex and registered their protest against the PDP-BJP Coalition Government in the State for ignoring the SC order, in which the State administration was directed to bring Home Guards of J&K at par with constables in Police Department. Later, the protesting Home Guards in the form of a rally moved towards Governor House but the police restricted their move and the Home Guards had to return from Pacca Danga Chowk. Addressing the protest- ers, Kamla Sharma, president of the association, said that the Government had sought a week’s time to implement the SC order but it has elapsed the stipulated time and did nothing to implement the order. Lashing out severely on the State Government, for ignoring demands of Home Guards, Kamla said that on one side Government has given per- manent jobs to 9000 stone pel- ters and surren- dered militants of the State and on the other s i d e , Government has deliberately ignored the Home Guards of the State, who on the stake of their lives are serving in the State in all conditions on a salary of Rs 545 per month only. Slamming the MLAs and MLCs of the State, she said that it is shameful that those who call themselves as the representa- tives of the people has no time to raise the issues of the Home Guards in the ongoing Assembly Session. She warned the Government of playing with the future of Home Guards by not implementing judgments of SC and J&K High Court, in which Government was asked to absorb Home Guards as regular constables. She urged the Government to implement the judgments of both the courts without any delay otherwise the Association will file contempt petition against the Government in respective courts. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Staged under the banner of Performers Kashmir Collective, the play Mazhab Nahin Sikhata exposed the nefarious designs of inimi- cal forces from across the bor- der to divide J&K society on religious line and made a clari- on call for amity and brother- hood, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today. Directed by young Rohit Bhat, and performed under Ministry of Culture's Cultural Function & Production Grant Scheme, the play symbolically alluding to J&K, revolves around to neighbors who live in a divided house called Firdous Manjil. Where one part is beau- tiful and bigger, vibrant, while the other is in a poor condition. The mischief mongers, exploiting the religious senti- ments sow the seeds of hatred between the two. But the patron of the house with bigger portion foils their evil designs and through his compassion and overarching humanism brings everyone together. In the prevailing socio- political climate wherein voic- es from within the Valley have started raising questions about the misplaced notions of sepa- ratism, that since three decades has wreaked havoc in the 'para- dise', the play Mazhab Nahin Sikhata has come out as emphatic denouncement of the disruptive forces aiming to create a wedge from within the pluralistic fabric of Indian soci- ety. The actors who enacted dif- ferent roles were Sapna Soni as Firdous, Puneet Bali as Yaseen, King C Bharati as Uncle, Rani Bhan as Noor, Vinay Pandita as Ayaaz, Rahul Pandita as Azad Abhay Rajput as Jackob. Other members of the cast were Ashish Bhat, Nikhil Dhar, Ramesh Pandita, Daizy Bazaz, Meenakshi Bhan, Sakhsham Bhat, Ishu Bharati Pandit, Shivesh Bhat and Harsh. Despite the long drawn dialogs heavy on the ears, often as conversation pieces between two characters, the cast was suc- cessful in communicating the message of the play. Veerji Sumbli's with his ingenious use of materials successfully created the feel of a Kashmir rural household. The music was operated by Sunny Mujjoo, costumes by Bharati Koul, props by Rajni Bhatti, makeup by Shammi Dhamir. Vision 2021 launches mentorship platform for J&K youth Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: With an objective of economic, social and personal development of Jammu Kashmir youth, New Delhi based social enterprise `Vision 2021- One Million Youth for Peace' launched its mentorship platform `Vision Matrix', here today, in partner- ship with J&K Police. Director General of Police, Dr S P Vaid formally launched the mentorship platform under Civic Action Program. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has been promoting various programs aimed at helping youth of the State to harvest their talents and help them rise high on ladder of suc- cess and self actualization while this event with Vision 2021 team was one of such efforts. Commanding officer IR 15th BN, Anita Sharma and the founder of Vision 2021, Rachna Sharma welcomed the guests and highlighted the aim of the programme. Deepika Arora - Regional vice president - Eurasia of world's largest hotel chain Wyndham Hotel Group; Shayamal Vallabhjee - founder of HEAL Institute, Sports Scientist & High Performance Coach; Bhawna Agarwal - CEO of Gadgets 360; Ashvini Jakhar - founder and CEO of e-com- merce company Prozo.com; Mayyur R Girotra - founder of one of India's leading fashion house Mayyur R Girotra Couture; Sakshi Vij - founder of Myles Cars; and Saurav Arora - founder of imhere24x7, gave lectures aimed at motivating the youth to work hard and with perseverance. Mentor panel discussion and open question answer session besides Mentee exercise for stu- dents was also held at the event. Spl DG V K Singh, DG/ Commandant General SDRF/ HG/Civil Defence, Dilbag Singh, IGP Personnel, J P Singh, IGP Headquarter, Surinder Gupta, IGP Armed/IR, Jammu, Shafkat Ali Watali, DIG IR Jammu, Vijay Kumar, senior police officers and stu- dents of various schools attend- ed the event. Vision Matrix mentoring platform connects emerging/ established leaders - Ivy League Schools' alumni, head honchos of FORTUNE 500 companies and renowned leaders across various fields and industries to provide academic, career, and personal guidance to mentees for a period of at least one and a half year. With an agenda of covering 22 districts across the State, Vision Matrix today kick start- ed the program with 30 mentees and mentors. The screening process of the mentees for the Mentoring Program was ini- tiated at the event through an activity where students shared their aspirations with Vision Matrix. Protest demonstrations, meetings, rallies mark observance of Holocaust Day by exiled KPs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Exiled Kashmiri Pandits observed the 29th Holocaust Day in different parts of country today by holding protest demonstrations, public gatherings and sit in dharnas. A strong joint demonstration was held on the Holocaust Day here today. The day is observed by the displaced community every year in remembrance of what was done to it 28 years ago on 19-20 January night in the Valley of Kashmir. A large number of activists of the community assem- bled at outside the Raj Bhawan here at 10 AM and sat on a sit-in- protest there. Those who addressed the demonstrators included Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir, Adv. Ravinder Raina, president, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Swami Kumar Ji, Chandji Bhat, president, BJP Displaced District President, Vinod Pandit, President, APMCC, Rakesh Kaul, of Samporan Kashmir Sangathan, Dr T K Bhat, general secretary, ASKPC, Sheila Handoo, BJP leader, Kusum Lata, Virender Kaul, T K Bhat, Kamal Bagati, P L Koul Budgami, King C Bharti, Shiban Khaibri, Ashok Kangan, Vijay Bhat of PK, T K Koul, Daya Krishan etc. Ashwani Chrungoo, in his address said that Kashmiri Pandit community cannot afford to ignore the scars of history and 19th January is an important date for the community to learn les- sons for the future. “We are deeply rooted in the ethos of Kashmir as a living civilization and the Kashmiri Pandits have an inalienable right on the land of Kashmir''. Ravinder Raina, Adv, presi- dent of ASKPC laid emphasis on the survival issues of the commu- nity. He asked the government to settle the issue of one time settle- ment of the over aged youth of the community and urgently complete the process of the recruitment under PM's package plan. Swami Kumar ji in his address appealed to the people to show unity at all levels and be ready for the sacrifices in this regard. Chandji Bhat, president, BJP district displaced unit categorically said that the time has come for the Kashmiri Pandits to raise their voice for redressal of their issues loudly since there is a favorable Government at the Centre this time. Vinod Pandit, president, APMCC vehemently advocated the issue of Sharda Yatra in the POK. He said that the Kashmiri Pandits have an equal right to make its demands known to the government and the people and need their redressal as well. Rakesh Kaul said that the Health Insurance issue also needs a review in order to accommodate all strata of the displaced society. ADKUF headed by its Chairman DN Kissu jointly with Kashmiri Pandit Conference observed Holocaust day by hold- ing protests at various places in Jammu. Protests followed by wearing black badges/ Caps to refresh the wounds of genocide and forced mass exodus lights were also switched off from 6 to 7PM. Among others Prof GL Koul, PL Sudeshi, CL Koul, Phoola Bhat, ML Pandit, PN Raina, BN Bhat, CL Zutshi and ML Koul addressed the meeting. Addressing the PK activists meetings at Delhi and Mumbai respectively organized to observe the Holocaust Day the PK conven- er, Dr Agnishekhar and its chair- man, Dr Ajay Chrungoo said that time has come when entire com- munity should with one voice ded- icate themselves to struggle launched by PK for separate homeland in Kashmir as per Marg Darshan resolution of 199. They said that there was no solution to KPs problems without separate homeland and regretted the attitude of the present Union and State Government towards the exiled Pandits which has been concerned for rehabilitation of stone pelters and not the victims of terrorism. A protest demonstration was held by Kashmiri Khatri Hindu Maha Sabha at Jagti to observe the Holocaust Day under the leader- ship of Engineer Ramesh Chander Mahajan. Another protest demonstration was held near Raj bhawan by Jagti inmates led by Sunil Pandita and Vijay Kaul who highlighted the miseries of the exiled Pandits. JTC also observed the Holocaust Day at Jagti under the leadership of Shadi Lal Pandita. He accused the Government of its total failure in rehabilitating the commu- nity. AMCCC also observed the Holocaust Day at Jagti under the leadership of Desh Rattan its presi- dent. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he said it is unfortu- nate that Union Government dur- ing last 29 years failed restore their homeland to Pandits. KPC also observed Holocaust Day at Dwarika, New Delhi today under the leadership of its president Kundan Kashmiri in which the demand for settlement of Pandits at one place in Valley was termed the only solution to their problems. KPC activists wore black badges and switched off the lights of their residences for two hours in the evening as a mark of protest. Kashmir Samiti Delhi observed the Holocaust Day at Amar Colony New Delhi and torched the effigies of terrorists and separatists. Holocaust Day was also observed at Sharda Colony Patoli Brahmana, near, here by KPs of the area under the leadership of B L Kher. Dr Ramesh Bhat and Nath Ji Bhat spoke on the occasion and stressed on the unity in the commu- nity. They said the community should launch a struggle for its rehabilitation and restoration of its rights. Any bid to distort our heritage will not be tolerated: PoK DPs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Old age dis- placed persons from erstwhile parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Now PoK) today said that any attempt to distort our historic her- itage will not be tolerated. In joint press conference here today, Prof NN Sharma, Prof JS Mangal, VK Datta, Parveen Kumar Bali, Gurmeet Singh Isher, Col OP Bakshi and others alleged that under a well-knit conspiracy, a plot is being created to spoil the case of PoK DPs as some handful Kashmiri migrants in a form of delegation recently approached Government for the reopening of Sharda Peeth (Temple) in Muzaffarabad and the same was immediately recommended by the BJP Central Minister to Home Ministry for consideration. They said that there are vari- ous religious places in PoK include Nageshwer Maha Dev located in the village Graha, where there was a holy spring and every year we used to organize a Besakhi Mela at this place; Devi Gali and Plangi Devi were anoth- er important Hindu Shrines apart from the Dera of Sant Bhai Rocha Singh, a Sikh shrine of Rawalakote, Chhati Patshahi at Niluchi in Muzaffarabad, Gurudwara Ali Begh in Bhimber, Khoiratta in Kotli, Mangla Temple in Mirpur and Sharda Temple in Muzaffarabad and we have demanding to visit these religious places for the last seven decades. “We have made our demands before various successive Governments but nobody took trouble to act upon. PoK DPs also knocked the doors of every politi- cal party but all turned deaf ear to it. As it a known fact that Sharda Peeth does not belong to only one community as the Goddess is wor- shipped by all the Hindus of Jammu and Kashmir and rest of the country. PoK DPs once were the inhabitants of PoK and if any religious place is situated there, then, the inhabitants of that specif- ic region have their right over it. It is known fact that PoK DPs used to live in Muzaffarabad then how a specific community claiming their right over this specific temple which is known as Sharda Peeth. Kashmiri Pandits have nothing to do with Sharda Peeth as this issue is being erupted deliberately to derail the cause of PoK DPs”, they said. They further said that in 1994, Parliament of India has passed a resolution that PoK belonged to J&K India will get it vacated. But for the last more than 7 decades nothing has happened. The PoK DPs are still living in sub-humane conditions since long and haven’t got compensation from Government like Kashmiri Pandits who are getting monthly cash compensation of Rs 10000, free ration, free accommodation, reservation in Government jobs, reservation in technical and pro- fessional colleges across the coun- try and many more. Why is Government adopting the discrim- inatory approach between KPs from Valley and DPs from PoK?” they asked. “We warn BJP led Government not to make any attempt to distort our historical heritage, “ they maintained. PoK DPs addressing joint press conference in Jammu on Friday. — Excelsior/Rakesh Artists staging play ‘Mazhab Nahin Sikhata’. Dignitaries during launch of ‘Vision Matrix’ at Jammu on Friday. Kashmiri Pandits protesting on 29th Holocaust Day in front of Raj Bhawan at Jammu on Friday. — Excelsior/Rakesh Canadian Urdu writer delivers extension lectures at JU Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Dr Taqi Abedi, Honorary Professor and a Canadian Urdu writer, delivered two extension lectures to the stu- dents, scholars, faculty members and members of the civil society, here today. The first extension lecture was on the topic"Relevance of Gulzar's Poetry in the present era" while the 2nd lecture was on ''Romantic Poetry of Akhter Sharani''. In the first lecture, Dr Taqi Abedi described the poetry of Gulzar important in the sense that he has done some experiments in his poetry. "Though Gulzar is associated with film industry, he has maintained the standard of Urdu poetry," he opined and appealed the scholars to work on the poetry of Gulzar, which has several dimensions. Regarding Akhter Sharani, Dr Taqi Abed inform that he is the great romantic poet who died at the age of 43 years. He wrote short stories, columns for news- papers, editorials for papers, translation, criticism etc. Describing Akhter Sharani a mul- tidimensional personality, Taqi Abedi described his death in early age as a great loss to the Urdu language and literature. Earlier, HoD Urdu, Prof Shohab Inayat Malik introduced Dr Taqi Abedi to audience. SDPO Jammu West reviews security Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 19: Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Jammu West, Pranav Mahajan, today reviewed security situation in Bus Stand and Jewel areas. The Officer held a meeting with the Hotel Association where the hotels falling within the busy and heavily frequented Jewel Chowk and the adjoining areas participated. The SDPO West highlighted the various security related concerns and sought active cooperation and support of the hoteliers. He emphasized that not only the CCTVs need to be installed but that they should be of good quality and should be strate- gically placed for which the police will render all the possible help. He told the hoteliers that under no circumstances any person with a weapon should be allowed to stay in their premises. He further added that a complete and exhaus- tive identification of all the staff members should be carried out. SHO Nowabad, Inspector Neeraj Bhagat, apprised the hote- liers about different channels of communication through which they can contact the police in case they notice any suspect. He further informed that a WhatsApp group has been created by him in order to ensure instant and reliable infor- mation flow between the police and the Hotel Association. Home Guards taking out a protest rally in Jammu. — Excelsior/Rakesh SDPO Jammu West, Pranav Mahajan and others during a security review meeting in Jammu. Home Guards take out protest rally Shri Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha holds meet Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Jan 19: Shri Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha held a meeting under the chairmanship of its President Narayan Singh at village Panchari. In the meeting, large number of people from Panchari and sur- rounding villages along with biradari members participated, who while speaking raised various issues including declaration of gazetted holiday on birth anniver- sary of Maharaja Hari Singh falling on September 23 each year, removal of social evils within the biradari, recruitment of educated Rajput youth in Army and belt forces with special drive in rural areas, road connectivity from Panchari to Sanasar via Landher, widening of Udhampur to Panchari road, reservation to eco- nomically weaker sections and non-execution of work for con- struction of model villages of Panjer and Saddal perished in land slides in the year 2014. While speaking, Narayan Singh assured the biradari mem- bers that for the construction of Sabha Bhawan at Panchari district Udhampur the land should be identified, so that steps to construct the Bhawan could be initiated. With regards to social evils, the biradari should minimize the expenses on social customs and functions, he added. For recruitments in belt forces and declaration of gazetted holiday on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the issues are being taken up with appropriate Forum, Singh informed, adding that the regarding road connectivity from Panchari to Sanasar via Landher and widening of road from Udhampur to Panchari, the con- cerned Minister will be apprised. President further advised the biradari members to take care of their children and provide good education so that the children could face the competition. He also advised the Rajput youth to remain united, shun bad habits and become true Rajputs. He also asked the gathering to remain unit- ed so as to get the demands ful- filled from the Government. On the occasion, a committee was formulated under Mahatama Singh President Block Panchari in which Baldev Singh, Ex- Sarpanch, Parbhat Singh, Ex- Sarpanch and Dalveer Singh, Ex- Panch have been nominated as members, Surinder Singh, Rattan Singh, Mulkh Raj and Kailash Singh as Youth President, senior Vice-President, Vice-President and Advisor respectively. Among others present were Captain Arjun Singh District President Rajput Sabha Udhampur, Happy Jamwal Youth President Rajput Sabha Udhampur, etc. Mazhab Nahin Sikhata: Clarion call for amity, brotherhood DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 (PAGE 9)
Transcript of Any bid to distort ourheritage Protest demonstrations, meetings,...
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: HomeGuards of the State under thebanner of All J&K Home GuardWelfare Association today tookout a protest rally from MubarakMandi, demanding implementa-tion of Supreme Court order
regarding bringing HomeGuards at par with regular con-stables of police department.
Hundreds of Home Guardsdrawn from various parts ofJammu region today assembledat Mubarak Mandi complex andregistered their protest againstthe PDP-BJP CoalitionGovernment in the State forignoring the SC order, in whichthe State administration wasdirected to bring Home Guardsof J&K at par with constables inPolice Department.
Later, the protesting HomeGuards in the form of a rallymoved towards Governor Housebut the police restricted theirmove and the Home Guards hadto return from Pacca DangaChowk. Addressing the protest-ers, Kamla Sharma, president ofthe association, said that the
Government had sought aweek’s time to implement theSC order but it has elapsed thestipulated time and did nothingto implement the order.
Lashing out severely on theState Government, for ignoringdemands of Home Guards,Kamla said that on one side
G o v e r n m e n thas given per-manent jobs to9000 stone pel-ters and surren-dered militantsof the State andon the others i d e ,G o v e r n m e n thas deliberatelyignored theHome Guardsof the State,who on thestake of theirlives are servingin the State in all
conditions on a salary of Rs 545per month only.
Slamming the MLAs andMLCs of the State, she said thatit is shameful that those who callthemselves as the representa-tives of the people has no time toraise the issues of the HomeGuards in the ongoing AssemblySession. She warned theGovernment of playing with thefuture of Home Guards by notimplementing judgments of SCand J&K High Court, in whichGovernment was asked toabsorb Home Guards as regularconstables.
She urged the Government toimplement the judgments ofboth the courts without anydelay otherwise the Associationwill file contempt petitionagainst the Government inrespective courts.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Stagedunder the banner of PerformersKashmir Collective, the playMazhab Nahin Sikhata exposedthe nefarious designs of inimi-cal forces from across the bor-der to divide J&K society onreligious line and made a clari-on call for amity and brother-hood, at the Abhinav Theatre,here today.
Directed by young RohitBhat, and performed underMinistry of Culture's CulturalFunction & Production GrantScheme, the play symbolicallyalluding to J&K, revolvesaround to neighbors who live ina divided house called FirdousManjil. Where one part is beau-tiful and bigger, vibrant, whilethe other is in a poor condition.
The mischief mongers,exploiting the religious senti-ments sow the seeds of hatredbetween the two. But the patronof the house with bigger portion
foils their evil designs andthrough his compassion andoverarching humanism bringseveryone together.
In the prevailing socio-political climate wherein voic-es from within the Valley havestarted raising questions aboutthe misplaced notions of sepa-ratism, that since three decadeshas wreaked havoc in the 'para-dise', the play Mazhab NahinSikhata has come out asemphatic denouncement of thedisruptive forces aiming tocreate a wedge from within thepluralistic fabric of Indian soci-ety.
The actors who enacted dif-ferent roles were Sapna Soni asFirdous, Puneet Bali as Yaseen,King C Bharati as Uncle, RaniBhan as Noor, Vinay Pandita asAyaaz, Rahul Pandita as AzadAbhay Rajput as Jackob. Othermembers of the cast were AshishBhat, Nikhil Dhar, RameshPandita, Daizy Bazaz,Meenakshi Bhan, Sakhsham
Bhat, Ishu Bharati Pandit,Shivesh Bhat and Harsh.
Despite the long drawndialogs heavy on the ears, oftenas conversation pieces betweentwo characters, the cast was suc-cessful in communicating themessage of the play. VeerjiSumbli's with his ingenious useof materials successfully createdthe feel of a Kashmir ruralhousehold.
The music was operated bySunny Mujjoo, costumes byBharati Koul, props by RajniBhatti, makeup by ShammiDhamir.
Vision 2021 launches mentorship platform for J&K youth
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: With anobjective of economic, socialand personal development ofJammu Kashmir youth, NewDelhi based social enterprise`Vision 2021- One MillionYouth for Peace' launched itsmentorship platform `VisionMatrix', here today, in partner-ship with J&K Police.
Director General of Police,Dr S P Vaid formally launchedthe mentorship platform underCivic Action Program.Speaking on the occasion, hesaid that Jammu and KashmirPolice has been promotingvarious programs aimed athelping youth of the State toharvest their talents and helpthem rise high on ladder of suc-cess and self actualization whilethis event with Vision 2021team was one of such efforts.
Commanding officer IR15th BN, Anita Sharma and thefounder of Vision 2021, RachnaSharma welcomed the guests
and highlighted the aim of theprogramme.
Deepika Arora - Regionalvice president - Eurasia ofworld's largest hotel chainWyndham Hotel Group;Shayamal Vallabhjee - founderof HEAL Institute, SportsScientist & High PerformanceCoach; Bhawna Agarwal - CEOof Gadgets 360; Ashvini Jakhar- founder and CEO of e-com-merce company Prozo.com;Mayyur R Girotra - founder ofone of India's leading fashionhouse Mayyur R GirotraCouture; Sakshi Vij - founder ofMyles Cars; and Saurav Arora -founder of imhere24x7, gavelectures aimed at motivating theyouth to work hard and withperseverance.
Mentor panel discussion andopen question answer sessionbesides Mentee exercise for stu-dents was also held at the event.
Spl DG V K Singh, DG/Commandant General SDRF/HG/Civil Defence, DilbagSingh, IGP Personnel, J P
Singh, IGP Headquarter,Surinder Gupta, IGP Armed/IR,Jammu, Shafkat Ali Watali,DIG IR Jammu, Vijay Kumar,senior police officers and stu-dents of various schools attend-ed the event.
Vision Matrix mentoringplatform connects emerging/established leaders - Ivy LeagueSchools' alumni, head honchosof FORTUNE 500 companiesand renowned leaders acrossvarious fields and industries toprovide academic, career, andpersonal guidance to menteesfor a period of at least one and ahalf year.
With an agenda of covering22 districts across the State,Vision Matrix today kick start-ed the program with 30mentees and mentors. Thescreening process of thementees for the
Mentoring Program was ini-tiated at the event through anactivity where students sharedtheir aspirations with VisionMatrix.
Protest demonstrations, meetings, rallies mark observance of Holocaust Day by exiled KPsExcelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: ExiledKashmiri Pandits observed the29th Holocaust Day in differentparts of country today by holdingprotest demonstrations, publicgatherings and sit in dharnas.
A strong joint demonstrationwas held on the Holocaust Dayhere today. The day is observed bythe displaced community everyyear in remembrance of what wasdone to it 28 years ago on 19-20January night in the Valley ofKashmir. A large number ofactivists of the community assem-bled at outside the Raj Bhawanhere at 10 AM and sat on a sit-in-protest there.
Those who addressed the
demonstrators included AshwaniKumar Chrungoo, president,Panun Kashmir, Adv. RavinderRaina, president, All StateKashmiri Pandit Conference,Swami Kumar Ji, Chandji Bhat,president, BJP Displaced DistrictPresident, Vinod Pandit,President, APMCC, RakeshKaul, of Samporan KashmirSangathan, Dr T K Bhat, generalsecretary, ASKPC, SheilaHandoo, BJP leader, KusumLata, Virender Kaul, T K Bhat,Kamal Bagati, P L KoulBudgami, King C Bharti, ShibanKhaibri, Ashok Kangan, VijayBhat of PK, T K Koul, DayaKrishan etc.
Ashwani Chrungoo, in hisaddress said that Kashmiri Panditcommunity cannot afford toignore the scars of history and19th January is an important datefor the community to learn les-sons for the future. “We aredeeply rooted in the ethos ofKashmir as a living civilizationand the Kashmiri Pandits have aninalienable right on the land ofKashmir''.
Ravinder Raina, Adv, presi-dent of ASKPC laid emphasis onthe survival issues of the commu-nity. He asked the government tosettle the issue of one time settle-ment of the over aged youth of thecommunity and urgently completethe process of the recruitmentunder PM's package plan.
Swami Kumar ji in his addressappealed to the people to showunity at all levels and be ready forthe sacrifices in this regard.
Chandji Bhat, president, BJPdistrict displaced unit categoricallysaid that the time has come for theKashmiri Pandits to raise their
voice for redressal of their issuesloudly since there is a favorableGovernment at the Centre thistime.
Vinod Pandit, president,APMCC vehemently advocatedthe issue of Sharda Yatra in thePOK. He said that the KashmiriPandits have an equal right tomake its demands known to thegovernment and the people andneed their redressal as well.
Rakesh Kaul said that theHealth Insurance issue also needsa review in order to accommodateall strata of the displaced society.
ADKUF headed by itsChairman DN Kissu jointly withKashmiri Pandit Conferenceobserved Holocaust day by hold-ing protests at various places in
Jammu. Protests followed bywearing black badges/ Caps torefresh the wounds of genocideand forced mass exodus lightswere also switched off from 6 to7PM.
Among others Prof GL Koul,PL Sudeshi, CL Koul, PhoolaBhat, ML Pandit, PN Raina, BNBhat, CL Zutshi and ML Kouladdressed the meeting.
Addressing the PK activistsmeetings at Delhi and Mumbairespectively organized to observethe Holocaust Day the PK conven-er, Dr Agnishekhar and its chair-man, Dr Ajay Chrungoo said thattime has come when entire com-munity should with one voice ded-icate themselves to strugglelaunched by PK for separatehomeland in Kashmir as per MargDarshan resolution of 199. They
said that there was no solution toKPs problems without separatehomeland and regretted the attitudeof the present Union and StateGovernment towards the exiledPandits which has been concernedfor rehabilitation of stone peltersand not the victims of terrorism.
A protest demonstration washeld by Kashmiri Khatri HinduMaha Sabha at Jagti to observe theHolocaust Day under the leader-ship of Engineer Ramesh ChanderMahajan.
Another protest demonstrationwas held near Raj bhawan by Jagtiinmates led by Sunil Pandita andVijay Kaul who highlighted themiseries of the exiled Pandits.
JTC also observed theHolocaust Day at Jagti under theleadership of Shadi Lal Pandita. Heaccused the Government of its totalfailure in rehabilitating the commu-nity. AMCCC also observed theHolocaust Day at Jagti under theleadership of Desh Rattan its presi-dent. Addressing the gathering onthe occasion, he said it is unfortu-nate that Union Government dur-ing last 29 years failed restore theirhomeland to Pandits.
KPC also observed HolocaustDay at Dwarika, New Delhitoday under the leadership of itspresident Kundan Kashmiri inwhich the demand for settlementof Pandits at one place in Valleywas termed the only solution totheir problems. KPC activistswore black badges and switchedoff the lights of their residencesfor two hours in the evening as amark of protest.
Kashmir Samiti Delhiobserved the Holocaust Day atAmar Colony New Delhi andtorched the effigies of terrorists andseparatists.
Holocaust Day was alsoobserved at Sharda Colony PatoliBrahmana, near, here by KPs of thearea under the leadership of B LKher. Dr Ramesh Bhat and Nath JiBhat spoke on the occasion andstressed on the unity in the commu-nity. They said the communityshould launch a struggle for itsrehabilitation and restoration of itsrights.
Any bid to distort our heritage will not be tolerated: PoK DPs
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Old age dis-placed persons from erstwhileparts of Jammu and Kashmir(Now PoK) today said that anyattempt to distort our historic her-itage will not be tolerated.
In joint press conference heretoday, Prof NN Sharma, Prof JSMangal, VK Datta, ParveenKumar Bali, Gurmeet Singh Isher,Col OP Bakshi and others allegedthat under a well-knit conspiracy,a plot is being created to spoil thecase of PoK DPs as some handfulKashmiri migrants in a form ofdelegation recently approachedGovernment for the reopening of
Sharda Peeth (Temple) inMuzaffarabad and the same wasimmediately recommended by theBJP Central Minister to HomeMinistry for consideration.
They said that there are vari-ous religious places in PoKinclude Nageshwer Maha Devlocated in the village Graha,where there was a holy spring andevery year we used to organize aBesakhi Mela at this place; DeviGali and Plangi Devi were anoth-er important Hindu Shrines apartfrom the Dera of Sant Bhai RochaSingh, a Sikh shrine ofRawalakote, Chhati Patshahi atNiluchi in Muzaffarabad,Gurudwara Ali Begh in Bhimber,Khoiratta in Kotli, Mangla Templein Mirpur and Sharda Temple inMuzaffarabad and we havedemanding to visit these religiousplaces for the last seven decades.
“We have made our demandsbefore various successiveGovernments but nobody tooktrouble to act upon. PoK DPs also
knocked the doors of every politi-cal party but all turned deaf ear toit. As it a known fact that ShardaPeeth does not belong to only onecommunity as the Goddess is wor-shipped by all the Hindus ofJammu and Kashmir and rest ofthe country. PoK DPs once werethe inhabitants of PoK and if anyreligious place is situated there,then, the inhabitants of that specif-ic region have their right over it. Itis known fact that PoK DPs usedto live in Muzaffarabad then howa specific community claimingtheir right over this specific templewhich is known as Sharda Peeth.Kashmiri Pandits have nothing todo with Sharda Peeth as this issue
is being erupted deliberately toderail the cause of PoK DPs”, theysaid.
They further said that in 1994,Parliament of India has passed aresolution that PoK belonged toJ&K India will get it vacated. Butfor the last more than 7 decadesnothing has happened. The PoKDPs are still living in sub-humaneconditions since long and haven’tgot compensation fromGovernment like KashmiriPandits who are getting monthlycash compensation of Rs 10000,free ration, free accommodation,reservation in Government jobs,reservation in technical and pro-fessional colleges across the coun-try and many more. Why isGovernment adopting the discrim-inatory approach between KPsfrom Valley and DPs from PoK?”they asked.
“We warn BJP ledGovernment not to make anyattempt to distort our historicalheritage, “ they maintained.
PoK DPs addressing joint press conference in Jammu onFriday. — Excelsior/Rakesh
Artists staging play ‘Mazhab Nahin Sikhata’.
Dignitaries during launch of ‘Vision Matrix’ at Jammu on Friday.
Kashmiri Pandits protesting on 29th Holocaust Day in frontof Raj Bhawan at Jammu on Friday. — Excelsior/Rakesh
Canadian Urdu writer deliversextension lectures at JU
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Dr TaqiAbedi, Honorary Professor and aCanadian Urdu writer, deliveredtwo extension lectures to the stu-dents, scholars, faculty membersand members of the civil society,here today.
The first extension lecture wason the topic"Relevance of Gulzar'sPoetry in the present era" whilethe 2nd lecture was on ''RomanticPoetry of Akhter Sharani''.
In the first lecture, Dr TaqiAbedi described the poetry ofGulzar important in the sense thathe has done some experiments inhis poetry. "Though Gulzar isassociated with film industry, he
has maintained the standard ofUrdu poetry," he opined andappealed the scholars to work onthe poetry of Gulzar, which hasseveral dimensions.
Regarding Akhter Sharani, DrTaqi Abed inform that he is thegreat romantic poet who died atthe age of 43 years. He wroteshort stories, columns for news-papers, editorials for papers,translation, criticism etc.Describing Akhter Sharani a mul-tidimensional personality, TaqiAbedi described his death inearly age as a great loss to theUrdu language and literature.
Earlier, HoD Urdu, ProfShohab Inayat Malik introducedDr Taqi Abedi to audience.
SDPO Jammu West reviews security Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: SubDivisional Police Officer (SDPO),Jammu West, Pranav Mahajan,today reviewed security situation
in Bus Stand and Jewel areas. The Officer held a meeting
with the Hotel Association wherethe hotels falling within the busyand heavily frequented JewelChowk and the adjoining areasparticipated. The SDPO Westhighlighted the various securityrelated concerns and sought activecooperation and support of thehoteliers. He emphasized that notonly the CCTVs need to beinstalled but that they should be ofgood quality and should be strate-
gically placed for which the policewill render all the possible help.
He told the hoteliers that underno circumstances any person witha weapon should be allowed tostay in their premises. He further
added that a complete and exhaus-tive identification of all the staffmembers should be carried out.
SHO Nowabad, InspectorNeeraj Bhagat, apprised the hote-liers about different channels ofcommunication through whichthey can contact the police in casethey notice any suspect. He furtherinformed that a WhatsApp grouphas been created by him in order toensure instant and reliable infor-mation flow between the policeand the Hotel Association.
Home Guards taking out a protest rally inJammu. — Excelsior/Rakesh
SDPO Jammu West, Pranav Mahajan and others during asecurity review meeting in Jammu.
Home Guards take out protest rally
Shri Amar Kshatriya RajputSabha holds meet
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 19: ShriAmar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha helda meeting under the chairmanshipof its President Narayan Singh atvillage Panchari.
In the meeting, large numberof people from Panchari and sur-rounding villages along withbiradari members participated,who while speaking raised variousissues including declaration ofgazetted holiday on birth anniver-sary of Maharaja Hari Singhfalling on September 23 each year,removal of social evils within thebiradari, recruitment of educatedRajput youth in Army and beltforces with special drive in ruralareas, road connectivity fromPanchari to Sanasar via Landher,widening of Udhampur toPanchari road, reservation to eco-nomically weaker sections andnon-execution of work for con-struction of model villages ofPanjer and Saddal perished in landslides in the year 2014.
While speaking, NarayanSingh assured the biradari mem-bers that for the construction ofSabha Bhawan at Panchari districtUdhampur the land should beidentified, so that steps to constructthe Bhawan could be initiated.With regards to social evils, thebiradari should minimize theexpenses on social customs andfunctions, he added.
For recruitments in belt forcesand declaration of gazetted holidayon birth anniversary of MaharajaHari Singh, the issues are beingtaken up with appropriate Forum,Singh informed, adding that theregarding road connectivity fromPanchari to Sanasar via Landherand widening of road fromUdhampur to Panchari, the con-cerned Minister will be apprised.
President further advised thebiradari members to take care oftheir children and provide goodeducation so that the childrencould face the competition. Healso advised the Rajput youth toremain united, shun bad habits andbecome true Rajputs. He alsoasked the gathering to remain unit-ed so as to get the demands ful-filled from the Government.
On the occasion, a committeewas formulated under MahatamaSingh President Block Panchari inwhich Baldev Singh, Ex-Sarpanch, Parbhat Singh, Ex-Sarpanch and Dalveer Singh, Ex-Panch have been nominated asmembers, Surinder Singh, RattanSingh, Mulkh Raj and KailashSingh as Youth President, seniorVice-President, Vice-President andAdvisor respectively.
Among others present wereCaptain Arjun Singh DistrictPresident Rajput SabhaUdhampur, Happy Jamwal YouthPresident Rajput SabhaUdhampur, etc.
Mazhab Nahin Sikhata: Clarion call for amity, brotherhood
DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 (PAGE 9)
