KL Desk
Jammu
While addressing 45th peace conference, governor Jammu and Kashmir N N Vohra has emphasized the need for promoting deeper understandings, communal harmony and brotherhood for establishing lasting peace and normalcy which would pave the way for rapid all round progress and a bright future for the state. He urged upon one and all to come forward in a big way to contribute towards achieving this goal.
The conference was organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium.
Referring to the unfortunate situation that obtained in the state in the past years, Vohra observed that we have suffered great human and economic losses alongside an irreparable loss to the education and careers of the youth.
He added that having passed through a very difficult time our people now seek and pray for peace and normalcy.
“Our youth have since come up in a big way and many of them are pursuing their education in reputed technical and professional institutions across the country and competing successfully for various career options,” said Vohra while emphasizing the need for enabling the youth to pursue their education, improve their skills and secure gainful employment to secure bright and better careers.
Urging youth to go for higher studies, he referred to the Special Scholarship Scheme launched by the Central Government to enable the youth of J&K to pursue higher studies and various professional courses outside the State and the other skill upgradation schemes which are also available, adding that a maximum possible number of them should benefit from these opportunities.
The Governor said that the spurt of development and economic activity, particularly during the past two years, has clearly demonstrated that progress can be achieved only when normalcy prevails.
He observed that the stable environment during the past two years has put the state on the path of progress and expressed sincere hope that, “God willing, we would succeed in our endeavours and Jammu and Kashmir will emerge as the leading state in the country.”
Referring to his interactions with the Chairman and office bearers of the J&K Peace Foundation during the past about four years, the Governor complimented, Chairman of the Foundation, Fayaz Ahmed Bhat and members of his team and all the associated activists for taking the highly laudable initiative of organizing various functions for promoting communal harmony, peace and amity and wished them high success in their continuing endeavours.
The Governor was honoured by the Foundation on this occasion by presenting to him a memento.
The Peace Conference commenced with lighting the ceremonial lamp by the Governor.
Provincial president National conference and MLC Devender Singh Rana, speaking on the occasion, congratulated the JKPF for organizing the Peace Conference. He added that sustained peace ushers in an environment of peaceful co-existence and strengthens secularism.
Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, MLC, said that peace is a pre-requisite for growth and development and lauded the efforts of the JKPF being made with a view to promoting peace and harmony in the State.
Fayaz Ahmad 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 is setting up its Chapters in the various States of the country. While dwelling on the activities of the Foundation, he said that it will organize an International Peace Conference in Srinagar during summer this year.
Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, presented a Vote of Thanks.
A cultural programme based on the composite cultural heritage of the State and national integration was presented on the occasion by the students of various educational institutions.
