Jammu, January 28 (Scoop News) – N. N. Vohra, Governor, today emphasized the need for engendering an environment of lasting peace and normalcy to ensure rapid progress and a bright future for the State.
The Governor, as Chief Guest, was addressing the 39th Peace Conference organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) at Abhinav Theatre, here today.
The Governor observed that the youth of the State are highly talented and given an enabling environment they can achieve excellence in all spheres of human endeavour. Referring to the situation that obtained in the past years, he said that it caused irreparable loss to the careers of the youth. He said that now they have come up in a big way and many of them are competing successfully for All India Services and securing seats in the reputed technical and professional institutions across the country on merit. Referring to the turmoil faced in the preceding three summers, he said that the spurt of economic activity during 2011 clearly demonstrated that progress can be achieved only when normalcy prevails. He observed that the stable environment during the past year attracted nearly one crore and twenty lakh pilgrims and tourists to visit the State, including over thirty two thousand foreigners. He hoped that this number would increase during this year. He stressed that we should ensure such an environment for the visitors that they go back with happy memories about the State.
The Governor said that the situation in the State in the past years has adversely affected our development and there is need for redoubling the efforts to make good this loss.
The Governor said that massive turn out of people in the last year’s Panchayat elections has once again demonstrated that people want sustained peace, progress and prosperity.
Referring to his interactions with the functionaries of the J&K Peace Foundation during the past about three years, the Governor complimented Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, Chairman of the Foundation, members of his team and all the associated activists for taking the highly laudable initiative of promoting communal harmony, peace and amity and wished them high success in their continuing endeavours. He emphasized the importance of spreading the message of peace in all nooks and corners of the State.
The Governor presented awards to a number of prominent peace activists, students and others who had rendered valuable services, on this occasion.
The Governor was honoured by the Foundation in recognition of his contribution for the restoration of sustained peace and normalcy and for encouraging initiatives aimed at promoting communal harmony and brotherhood.
Mrs. Mamta Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, Government of India, highlighted the role of women in strengthening peace initiatives. She also stressed for enlarging awareness against female foeticide.
Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Rural Development, congratulated the JKPF for organizing the Peace Conference. He said that peace is essential pre-requisite for progress and prosperity. He said that we can immensely benefit from the rich experience of the Governor in establishing a lasting peace and normalcy in the State.
Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, said that Jammu and Kashmir is known for its glorious pluralistic traditions and we have to further strengthen this ethos. He added that issues have to be resolved through discussion and dialogue. He complimented the JKPF for its laudable initiative of spreading the peace message.
Abdul Rashid Kabuli, former Member of Parliament, referring to the huge loss of life and property during the past years turmoil in the State, said that we have to restore the pristine glory of the State as an abode of peace and tranquility. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the promotion of initiatives aimed at ensuring sustained peace and progress in the State.
Kuldeep Khoda, Director General of Police, thanked the Governor for being the Chief Patron of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation. He assured all possible support to the Foundation in carrying out its activities so that every child of the State grows and progresses in an atmosphere of peace.
Ms. Dilraj Bedi from the Art of Living read out the message of H. H. Shri Shri Ravi Shankarji, sent for this Peace Conference.
Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, thanked the Governor for his keen interest and patronage to the Foundation for carrying forward its endeavours for promotion of peace and amity in the State. He stated that the Foundation will set up Committees at the village level during 2012 and organize a global peace conference at Srinagar in July this year.
R. L. Malla, President, Haryana Chapter of the Foundation, invited the Governor to address next Peace Conference being held in Haryana.
In his welcome address, Anil Kapahi, President Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, Jammu Region, spoke about the aims and objects of this Conference.
Balraj Puri, noted journalist, presided over the day long Peace Conference.
Several Legislators, a large number of functionaries of the Foundation, prominent social and political activists, people from all walks of life, teachers and students were present on the occasion.