Srinagar 17 Aug : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha asserted that attempts were being made to vitiate the atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir, however the administration, Police and security forces would not allow any such attempt to disrupt peace to succeed .
In a subtle dig at the detractors prophesying that there would be no shoulders in J&K to carry the tricolour post Article 370 abrogation, LG Sinha reiterated that the challenge was met with a resounding response visible everywhere in the current changed scenario and the national flag was being carried by strong and resolute shoulders with pride, respect and commitment.
He was responding to the concerns expressed by the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community members about their safety and related aspects in the backdrop of recent terror incidents in Kashmir and alleged threats issued to them.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was addressing the community gathering during a programme related to the foundation day celebration of KP Volunteers, a humanitarian organisation and felicitated its volunteers for their selfless service to the society, here in Jammu.
LG Sinha maintained that the way he (LG) understood the problems pertaining to Kashmiri Pandits and their concerns, probably many of the community members themselves could not comprehend it.
“I’m saying it with a great sense of responsibility. Attempts have been made and are being made to resolve those issues and concerns and it is an unrelenting process. The attempts to vitiate the atmosphere and disturb peace here are also made recurrently. But there is no need to worry or feel troubled. All such concerns are being taken care of, at the right quarters. All such measures warranted to tackle that scenario and address those concerns are being taken,” he assured.
Lieutenant Governor reiterated that the administration was alive to the concerns, including those related to security threats to the community.
“It is not that the concerned quarters have woken up to such concerns now. The concerned quarters have already been in pro-active mode. Some people also indulge in peddling rumours to serve the cause of vested interests. But I assure you that the entire administration, Police and security forces are resolute in their approach to safeguard people’s security, fully committed to ensure a peaceful environment,” LG Sinha asserted and added, “The nefarious designs of those who attempt to disrupt peace will not be allowed to succeed, at any cost.”
Admitting that there were many challenges, the Lieutenant Governor stated that they (challenges) were confronted head-on and resolved.
“Agreed, there are many challenges as you (KP community members) have mentioned. But there was a bigger challenge than that. It used to be said that there would be no shoulder to carry tricolour here (in J&K). But see the changed scenario, now you not just find countless shoulders but very strong and resolute shoulders to uphold the national flag with pride and respect. You would have witnessed that impactful message of change in the current scenario,” he averred.
Advising the community to look towards its bright future instead of getting stuck in the past, he said that they were true well-wishers of the community, who were pushing it (community) to forget its past sufferings and wounds to move forward.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor lauded the KP Volunteers’ six-and-a-half years of tireless work in serving the needy and upholding the values of compassion, duty and humanity.
He emphasised that true service was in performing one’s duty without expectation of reward. He said KP Volunteers exemplified that spirit, having never sought fame or wealth but embraced service as a sacred duty.
The Lieutenant Governor recalled how the organisation began in April 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a single bag of rice donated by the Jammu Ashram of Swami Nand Bab Sahib sowed the seed of a selfless service revolution. He said KP Volunteers had since grown into a trusted platform for humanitarian service across UT of Jammu Kashmir.
“I am proud that you have made the welfare of others your guiding principle. I believe that KP Volunteers is also living proof that when service is selfless, it continues to grow like light spreading from one lamp to another. I have seen the achievements of the campaigns being conducted continuously by your organisation, and I can say that these figures tell the story of the far-reaching nature of your selfless service. Behind every statistic is a human being and a life that has been touched by assistance,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Highlighting the organisation’s achievements, the Lieutenant Governor noted, “Under the Family Adoption Programme, 164 families receive monthly assistance in ration, medicines, and education and through the Emergency Assistance Programme, a number of families have been supported in times of crisis, including surgeries and debt relief.”
It was also informed that nearly 10,000 online medical consultations were provided during the pandemic and more than 6,500 emergency blood donations were facilitated. The financial Support was also extended for the marriages of daughters from economically weaker families.
“These are not merely achievements but they are important milestones in a journey of compassion and service,” he said.
LG Sinha also praised KP Volunteers for adopting Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms, ensuring accountability and transforming service into a sacred human bond. He described the organisation’s 411 active volunteers worldwide as the priceless jewels of the Kashmiri Pandit community and urged that their numbers be expanded to meet future challenges in poverty, healthcare, and education.
The Lieutenant Governor also outlined four key priorities for the future- Expanding educational assistance to empower youth, strengthening healthcare support, creating a global volunteer network and empowering women through skill development and entrepreneurship, with greater leadership roles for women volunteers.
“Education is the most powerful instrument for the welfare of all. Empowering children with knowledge and education will prove to be the finest gift we can offer them. There is an urgent need to utilise the potential of the Kashmiri Pandit community settled across the world, as well as that of the Indian diaspora, in order to expand compassion and service and ensure that financial constraints do not obstruct various initiatives,” he said.
LG Sinha observed that the Kashmiri Pandit community made unique contributions to nation-building, education, philosophy and culture. He said from ancient times to the modern era, scholars, saints and leaders from the Kashmiri Pandit community played a significant role in strengthening the intellectual, cultural and administrative foundations of the country.
“KP Volunteers should draw inspiration from these great personalities and dedicate themselves to the field of service. Your objective should be to work together to build a future as glorious as your past. You have kindled the flame of service. It is now the responsibility of the entire community to carry this flame forward,” he stated.
“Let us resolve today that we will never allow compassion to diminish. Let us pledge that every hungry child will receive food, every child will receive quality education, every young person will have employment, every sick person will receive medicine, and every struggling family will have the opportunity to live with dignity and honour,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Responding to the gathering’s demands, LG Sinha reiterated his commitment to the welfare of every member of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Meritorious students were also felicitated on the occasion.
Vikram Koul, founder, KP Volunteers organisation; Kuldeep Khoda, former DGP; Dr Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner; prominent citizens, members of KP volunteers and people from different walks of life attended the event.
Shridhar Patil, DIG JSK Range; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu and other senior officials were also present.
