Social service a noble cause:JK Minister

Srinagar, November 06 (Scoop News) – Describing social service a noble cause, the Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Aga Syed Rohulla has said that Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) have important role in providing succor to the needy and poor sections of the society.

The Minister was addressing at 37th Annual General Body meeting of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), here today.

Among others, MLA, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Deputy Director General, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Damodar Bachani, Commissioner- Secretary, Health and Medical Education,  G.A. Peer, Chief Post Master General, J&K Circle,  John Samuel, President, VHAI, Dr. B.S. Garg, Vice Chairperson, JKVHDA, Prof. Bilquees Jameela, Chief Executive VHAI,  Alok Mukhopadhyay, Additional Professor, Department of Preventive Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. Sharmila Pimple, former Director SKIMS, Dr. Abdul Hameed Zargar , Executive Director, JKVHDA,  A.M. Mir, Dr. Muzaffer Ahmad besides State Executive Directors of the organization from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Sikkim and Assam were present on the occasion.

 Ruhullah said that with growing social challenges, the role of NGOs has also increased across the globe. He said the NGOs are working wholeheartedly and without any personal benefit for betterment of the people living in distress and miserable conditions. 

The Minister said that the role of NGOs has considerably  increased as the State has observed a long spell of political uncertainty followed by a natural catastrophe i.e. earth quake in 2005 and cloud burst of Ladakh in 2009 which left thousands of people dead and damage to the property.

Asking NGOs to prepare themselves for future challenges,  Ruhullah said that filed functionaries associated with this noble job need to be humble and compassionate to the suffers.

Dr. Damodar Bachani, Dr. B.S. Garg, Dr. Sharmila Pimple also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the programmes they have undertaken in the field of healthcare.

The Minister presented Fr. Tong Memorial Award 2011 to Tata Memorial Hospital received by Dr. Sharmila Pimple.

Dr. Fr. James S. Tong, a citizen of USA, was founder-Director of VHAI who brought together all the people working on health sector irrespective of their religious affiliations. Under his directorship, VHAI pioneered new concepts in community health with emphasis on the less privileged sections, striving for justice in the provision and distribution of health care.

On the occasion, a Special Cover and Stamp was also released by the Minister.

Later, a cultural programme was organized which was attended by the Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj,  Ali Mohammad Sagar and Minister of State for Home,  Nasir Aslam Wani.