Srinagar, June 29 (Scoop News)-N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, today said that India’s centuries old relations with the Central Asian countries are deeply embedded in civilizational and cultural commonalities and emphasized the need for strengthening these relations, keeping in mind the emerging challenges confronting this region, and the world at large, on varied fronts.
The Governor said this in his Presidential Address at the inaugural session of the 3-day International Conference on “Cooperative Development, Peace and Security in Central Asia: Challenges and Prospects”, at the Kashmir University here today. This International Conference has been jointly organized by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh, and the Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS), Kashmir University.
The Governor referred to his goodwill mission visits to the Central Asian countries in the early 1990s and the difficult situations which were obtaining in these countries at that time. He also recalled the useful work done by the India International Centre, New Delhi, in the early years after the break up of the former Soviet Russia, to organize an international conference to bring out the history, culture and polity of the Central Asian States and to bring out a volume containing the papers presented by Indian and Central Asian scholars. This was done with a view to making these countries better known and for reviving India’s centuries old relations with them. He also referred to the good work being done by Rajeev Sethi, Founder of Asian Heritage Foundation, who was present on this occasion, for reviving, preserving and showcasing the symbols of our rich cultural heritage, adding that such initiatives can go a long way in fostering better understandings and contributing towards sustainable relations with the Central Asian countries.
Referring to the serious challenges being faced by the world today, the Governor observed that these include religious fundamentalism which leads to extremism and violence, resulting in human and economic losses, disrupting educational schedules which adversely affect the education of youth. He added that such challenges have to be addressed with mutual cooperation and deeper worldwide understandings.
The Governor, who is Chancellor of the Kashmir University, congratulated the CRRID and the Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, for organizing this International Conference on a very important theme and wished the participants fruitful deliberations.
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, and Salman Khurshid, Minister of External Affairs, addressed the inaugural session of the Conference.
Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, in his welcome address, urged Salman Khurshid, for providing opportunities to the scholars of the CCAS for undergoing internship in the Ministry of External Affairs. He thanked the Governor and the Chief Minister for their valuable support in the growth of the University.
Dr. Rashpal Malhotra, Executive Vice Chairman, CRRID, dwelt on the activities of the organization and the aims and objects of organizing this Conference. He read out a message of the Prime Minister sent for this International Conference.
Dr. S. S. Gill, Director General, CRRID, gave details of the establishment, evolution, history, growth and activities of the CRRID. He said that jointly organizing of this Conference by the CRRID and the Kashmir University is an indicator of long-term and sustained cooperation between the CRRID and the varsity.
Prof. Aijaz A. Bandey, Director, CCAS, spoke about the work done by the CCAS over the past 35 years of its establishment and the publications brought out by it.
Dr. Tareak A. Rather, Coordinator of the Conference, presented a Vote of Thanks.
Among those present on the occasion were delegates of the Conference from within and outside the country, Deans, Heads of Departments, Faculty members, scholars and students.
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