KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Underscoring the importance of education in the socio-economic empowerment, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said Islam has laid ample stress on seeking knowledge, making it a compulsory obligation.
Addressing the annual day function of Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute, the Chief Minister said education is a great leveler to bridge any social and economic gap in society and reminded the students how much stress Islam has laid on seeking knowledge.
Ms Mufti reminded the students that Iqra (learn) was the first verse to have been revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and seeking knowledge was made Farz (compulsory) for every Muslim. Importance of education has been stressed in Islam time and again and preventing or disrupting education is a disservice to Islam, she said.
Complimenting the Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute for its efforts in spreading education in Chenab valley region during 111 years of its existence since 1905, Ms Mufto announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for the school for its further development and infrastructure upgradation while assuring all possible help to the institute.
Ms Mufti asked the charitable institutes like Auqafs and trusts in the State to emulate successful models like Islamia Faridia Trust, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Mata Vaishno Devi University, where the offerings and other donations were gainfully used to spread education, make colleges, universities and hospitals. This is the best use of these offerings and real tribute to these saints and deities, she said.
Felicitating people on the Urs of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA), the Chief Minister said development of the region has always remained close to her heart. She said she is fully aware of the problems and aspirations of the people of the area. She said immediately after taking over she had decided to undertake a detailed visit of the area to further assess the development needs but couldn’t due to the situation in Kashmir Valley.
Responding to the demands put forth, Mehbooba Mufti said there is a need to construct tunnels like Vailoo-Singhpora and on Mughal road. She said the bed strength of Kishtwar hospital would be increased from 100 beds to 200 and possibility of setting up a cancer hospital would also be explored. She said one nursing college has been started in the town and another college would also be set up soon.
The Chief Minister described Kishtwar as hub of generating hydel power and assured people that money under Corporate Social Responsibility of the companies operating in the area would be spent on the welfare of its people.
Earlier on her arrival, the Chief Minister was given a warm reception by the students of the institute. She was taken by a contingent of students of the institute to the podium.
The Chief Minister, on the occasion, distributed Faridia Gold medals among the dedicated teachers of the institute.
Ms Mehbooba Mufti earlier visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA) and paid her obeisance. On this occasion, she felicitated people of the state in general, and people of Chenab valley region in particular, and hoped such occasions bring back the people their age old practices of harmony, brotherhood and amity.
Mehbooba Mufti recalled the contribution of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA) in the spiritual and social awakening of the people of the region. “We ought to emulate the teachings of moral values, communal harmony, brotherhood and welfare of masses which were practiced by the late saint during his lifetime,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister later also visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-Din Bagdadi (RA) and Hazrat Shah Akhyar-ud-Din (RA) and prayed for peace, prosperity and well being of the state and its people.
Later, addressing a well attended gathering after laying foundation stone of a Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Gulab Garh, the Chief Minister said unemployment is a major problem in the region and tourism has huge potential of employing local youth. She said the area falls in the trekking route to Zanaskar and would also be made part of the Adventure track.
She said the Chenab valley is full of tourist potential and Government is making efforts to make it part of the adventure and trekking circuit which would generate huge employment for the local youth.
The Chief Minister said Machail Yatra also gives employment to local youth and efforts would be made to attract tourists to the area. She said many development activities have been started in the area which would mitigate the problems of the people to a great extent.
The Tourist Facilitation Centre would be completed within two years and would extend facilities to the tourists visiting the area.
The Chief Minister said many developmental initiatives have been planned for the area including a Degree College at Paddar and a separate Maternal and Child Hospital. She said the area is known for sapphire mines and the Government is keen to get the same tendered out so that the area gets a developmental and economic push.
