Two day Peace Conference in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 16 (Scoop News) –     The Governor, . N. N. Vohra, has called upon intellectuals, academicians, social and political activists, media persons, all the stakeholders and the people at large to work towards engendering an environment for restoration of lasting peace, communal harmony, amity and brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir, to revive and promote its past glory of an abode of peace and tranquility.

The Governor, as Chief Guest, was addressing after inaugurating the 2-day Peace Conference organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation at SKICC here today.

The Governor emphasized that everything possible needs to be done to restore sustained peace as no meaningful development and progress is possible without an enabling environment. He said that the people of the State have a high stakes in peace and normalcy and, therefore, we have a vast responsibility for measuring upto the challenge to secure the desired outcome.

The Governor said that Jammu and Kashmir, since centuries past, had remained the seat of learning where visitors from all parts of the world held philosophical debates and religious discourses in an environment which was deeply rooted in pluralistic thought and secularism. He added that there is an imperative need for everyone to ponder over the unfortunate happenings of the last over two decades and take every required step to reverse the trend to restore the shining glory of the State. He said that the State has suffered enormous human and economic losses.

Referring to the people’s urge for strengthening democratic institutions and their commitment for peace and democracy, the Governor said that the massive turnout of voters in the Assembly elections of 2008, Parliamentary polls of 2009 and the ongoing Panchayat elections, is a pointer towards the fact that they are committed to the democratic process and are strong stakeholders in establishing peace and fostering development.

The Governor, while referring to the situation during the last three summers in the Kashmir Valley, observed that not only tourism and other important sectors which are the mainstay of the State’s economy suffered a serious setback, but the process of development and implementation of welfare schemes was hit badly. He said that, above all, the disruption in educational schedules very adversely affected the careers of students, many of whom were at the competitive stage and lost a full year.

 The Governor complimented . Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, and his colleagues for organizing this important Peace Conference and wished the participants fruitful discussions. He sincerely hoped that this Conference would contribute towards deeper understandings and, in turn, usher the State into an era of lasting peace, harmony and normalcy.

Earlier, the Governor lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the Conference.

Dr. Ahmad Saleem Al-Wahishi, Ambassador of Arab League, in his Presidential address, thanked the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation for inviting him to the Conference. He added that Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places and among the choicest tourist destinations in the world. He observed that in this age of globalization, peace, tranquility and brotherhood have acquired an added significance.

. Shahid Sidiqui, former MP and noted journalist, said that this Peace Conference is an important effort towards securing the goal of sustained peace and tranquility in the State. He said that all religions propagate the message of peace and harmony, adding that conciliation and dialogue are the best and rather the only way out to resolve all issues amicably by sitting across the table.

The Interlocutor, . Dileep Padgaonkar, also expressed his views in the Peace Conference.

The Director Information, Kh. Farooq Renzushah said that the J&K media is most responsible media and in spite of challenging situation they have proved their mettle. He said that every peace loving person is basically development-oriented and likes to project development scenario in an objective manner. He said that the Department of Information has always received cooperation of right thinking people at local, national and international level in erasing the negative impression about the situation. 

. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, J&K Peace Foundation, in his welcome address, dwelt on the aims and objects of organizing this Conference, the details of the participants, the activities of the Foundation and its future roadmap. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the activities of the Foundation aimed at restoration of lasting peace, harmony, amity and brotherhood in the State.

An all religion prayer was held on the occasion which was followed by a 2-minute silence to pay homage to those who had lost their lives during the past over two decades of turmoil in the State.

. Abdul Ahad Wahid, Didi Sudershana and Rev. Father Khanna also expressed their views and prayed for peace.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Minister for CAPD and Transport, . Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry and Science and Technology, Aga Syed Ruhulla, Interlocutors, Prof. Radha Kumar and . M. M. Ansari, Swami Agnivesh, . Ramesh Yadav, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, . Brij Bhushan Tiwari  and a galaxy of distinguished peace activists from various parts of the country and the State.              

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