Civil Society Kashmir organises Amarnath Yatra welcome event
Revival of age-old tradition to welcome Yatris with open hearts: Dr Darakhshan
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: In the first of its kind event held by Civil Society today at SKICC Srinagar for welcoming Amarnath Yatra after a gap in Kashmir, hundreds of people representing different social, business, religious bodies from the whole of Kashmir Valley participated.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was the Chief Guest while as Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chief Secretary of J&K Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole were the Guests of Honour. Civil Society representatives Mushtaq Chaya and Bashir Ahmad Rather were also present on the occasion. Introductory address about the importance of Yatra in bridging the gaps between communities was delivered by famed writer and intellectual Dr Satish Vimal.
In his address, Lieutenant Governor said that this gesture of the civil society of Kashmir will present the real face of Kashmir to the world.
“I am convinced that the majority of the majority community stands for communal brotherhood and peace among faiths and this event is just another reflection of the same. Whole of Amarnath Yatra is a testimony of the spirit of co-existence in Kashmir,” said Manoj Sinha.
He praised the efforts of the civilians and public representatives for creating an atmosphere of brotherhood, communal harmony and peace in J&K.
He said that peaceful conduct of this Yatra will add to the tourism potential of J&K as these Yatris are the ambassadors for our tourism and social image out of J&K.
LG said that the government was doing hard work in streamlining the systems of governance in J&K so that the life of the people gets benefitted.
“Peace is imperative for development and when people choose peace no one can stop the progress and development of the society,” said Sinha.
Dr Darakhshan said, “Our Sufis and spiritual saints have showed us the way to life a peaceful life based on the principle of co-existence and brotherhood and now we have to return to the roots and follow the teachings of our spiritual masters so that we bring peace to this land of Sufis & Rishis.”
“We are reviving the age-old cultural tradition in Kashmir by welcoming Yatris with hearts,” said Dr Darakhshan.
She hoped that now onwards the world should know us by our real image of humanism and spiritual excellence which is the foundation of brotherhood.
Welcoming Amarnath Yatra, Dr Andrabi hoped that like the record tourist inflow this year the yatra will also create records.
Chief Secretary said that this event has to be a beginning of a continuous tradition of celebrating the inter-community and inter-faith festivities throughout the year.
“This Yatra will boost the economy of J&K to a great level and such huge festivities need to be part of our tourism network,” said Dr Mehta.
He appealed to the audience to send this message around so that the spirit of peace and co-existence gets deep roots in the society.
Civil Society representatives Mushtaq Chaya and Bashir Ahmad Rather also spoke on the occasion and reiterated their faith in the communal harmony of the society.
They said that the whole Kashmiri society is at the service of the Amarnath pilgrims and we assure all help and assistance to these guests in J&K.
While welcome address was delivered by Civil Society Member Mohammad Abrar Khan, e thanks giving was done by Chairman of Chamber of Commerce & Industry Kashmir Tariq Ghaani.
Famed broadcaster Rasheed Nizami anchored the event.