Kashmir Bhawan Calling Koshur Samachar January 2016

Sumeer Chrungoo  

Let me first of all wish my Kashmin Pandit brothers and sisters, life members of KSD, KP organisations and groups and the readers of Koshur Samachar a very happy and prosperous New Year May the year 2016 end the period of our prolonged exile and bestow on all of us peace, prosperity, sound health, wealth and the vision to work unitedly for the welfare and rehabilitation of our community.

For us, the year that has gone by was one of continued hope and yearning for our return to our native land, with the Kashmiri Samiti Delhi remaining in the forefront of the struggle to achieve this cherished goal. The Samiti kept itself constantly geared up to face the challenges posed by the times. We have chalked out a full-fledged agenda to work for protecting the interests of our displaced community and engaged ourselves throughout the year in activities to articulate their concerns. In this KSD acted in unison with other like-minded community organisations, holding seminars and symposia to discuss the problems of the community. We protested against the continued injustice to KPS, and above all constantly raised the demand for a separate homeland for the displaced community As the nodal agency the KSD continued to co ordinate its efforts with the government in providing relief measures to the displaced Pandits living in the national capital and help resolving their various problems. One of our major activities during the year 2015 was organization of the Dedication Day on December 25. As is well known, KSD has been observing this day since 1990 to renew its pledge to uphold the cause of the dispersed community. This year the main highlight was a discussion on the theme of 'Return Hope or Hoax? The programme was presented before the participants in a jam-packed hall. It started with the traditional lighting of the lamp and Ganesh Vandana, a delightful dance recital by the young but amply talented Vidushi Pandita General Secretary Kashmin Samiti Delhi Sumeer Chrungoo formally welcomed the representatives of various KP organisations and groups that other members of the community who had come to participate in the function from different corners of the NCR, braving the morning chill. The Hall at the venue was jam-packed with Dr Jatinder Singh, MOS PMO Office, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.

In his Welcome address, the KSD General Secretary Sumeer Chrungoo spoke about the purpose and significance of the Dedication Day.

Presenting the perspective in which the Dedication Day was being observed, Shri Vijay Raina, President KSD, said that the organisation had been untiringly working for the welfare of the community and safeguarding its interests since its foundation in 1951. After the tragic exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 it played the role of a frontline organisation to face the massive challenges that the situation posed and helped in co-ordinating relief and rehabilitation measures for the displaced KP population. Shri Raina said that KSD had taken the decision to adopt and endorse the demand of a separate homeland for Kashmiri Pandits after due consideration and detailed discussions as early in 1993. Since then it has been consistently contributing its efforts towards the objective of achieving a separate homeland. He said that during a recent meeting of KP representatives with the MHA his organisation alone took a clear stand that it would not be possible for the KPS to return unless a separated homeland is carved out. Renewing his organisation's pledge to uphold the community's cause and work steadily to protect its interests in the present circumstances, Shri Raina said that the Dedication Day was an occasion when strategies for the entire year could be worked out.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by Dr L. N. Dhar, former President KSD, who spoke about the significance of the Dedication Day and the crucial role played by the KSD as the frontline organisation of the since 1990. He said that it was after much thought and deliberation that KSD had come to endorse the demand for a separate homeland and it has throughout stood by its commitment to this goal. Dr. Dhar said that it was difficult for Kashmiri Pandits to return as the government had failed to provide assured security to them and the majority community has been completely radicalised. Referring to the issue of unity among Kashmiri Pandits, Dr. Dhar claimed that an overwhelming majority of 90 percent of Kashmini Pandits were in favour of a separate homeland.

Expressing their views on the topic of the discussion, Panun Kashmir leaders, Dr. Agnishekhar and Dr. Ajay Chrungoo, analyzed the prevailing political situation and told the community that creation of a separate homeland was the only solution to their problems as it alone would bring an end to their suffering brought about by genocidal attacks on them by the Islamist fundamentalists in Kashmir Referring to a popular verse of Lal Ded, Dr. Agnishekhar, Convener Panun Kashmir, said that Kashmiri Pandits should now pursue the goal of achieving a separate homeland with single-minded attention, giving up consideration of anything extraneous to this demand. Dr. Ajay Chrungoo said that the hopes raised by the new dispensation at the Centre had been totally belied as it had compromised on everything it stood for so far as its policy regarding Kashmir was concerned. Describing the PDP-BJP Alliance Document as a document of abject surrender, Dr. Chrungoo said that instead of recognizing the fact of total radicalization that was sweeping the majority Muslim community in Kashmir, the Document asks for the integration of the Kashmiri Pandits into the "Kashmiri milieu" The Panun Kashmir leaders said that KPS should reject any policy of return based on such intent of the government. Dr. Ashwini Chrungoo, another Panun Kashmir leader, also expressed similar views, saying that the least that the government could do was to recognize the KPS as Internally Displaced Persons. The KSD is thankful to these leaders for coming from Jammu to address the members of the community assembled at the function.

The Chief Guest Dr. Jitendra Singh was garlanded by the office bearers of the KSD and felicitated by them. In his speech, Dr. Singh said that he did not consider himself as an outsider, but as an inside member of the family. He said that the KPS had undergone much suffering and its human rights were violated. He said that personally he was fully aware of the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandits and fully supported their cause. The Minister said that he had no objection to the Pandits being called Internally Displaced Persons which they indeed were. Dr. Singh suggested that intellectuals representing different shades of opinion among Kashmiri Pandits should join hands and form a small group to discuss their problems with the Home Ministry, their demands, be it a separate homeland or anything else, and a joint group of their The KSD being a prime organisation of the Kashmiri Pandits, could take an initiative in this regard.

Shri C. L Gadoo, a former President of KSD and Shri R. K. Mattoo, Kashmiri Pandit leader from Bangalore also took part in the discussion. The entire programme was anchored by the well-known radio artiste Shri Kanwal Veshin in his own lively manner.

A colourful cultural programme enlivened the post discussion evening session. Shri Raj Kumar Kachroo and his team musically rendered some beautiful Kashmiri songs in his melodious voice. A bouquet of humorous skits on the themes like inter-caste marriages and addiction to "Facebook and Whatsapp '' was presented by Smt. Sushma Bhat and her team which sent the audience into splits. Shri Ravi Zaroo, Shri Kanwal Veshin, Smt. Veena Pandit and Titik Bhat impressed with their performances. Smt. Sushma Kalla unfolded her artistic talent in the dramatisation of some Lal vakhs with Smt. Sushma Bhatt beautifully playing the role of Lalleshwar. The cultural programme was appreciated by the entire audience.

The Dedication Day programme concluded with felicitation of several important personalities of the community. for excellence in their respective fields and service to the community. Those who were felicitated and honoured with KSD Gaurav Samman on the occasion included Late Shri Sanjay Kaul who got the award posthumously for sacrificing his life for the country while in Police service in Jammu Kashmir. His father Shri Raj Nath Kaul received the Samman. Other recipients of the KSD Gaurav Samman are Shri Vijay Tickoo and Shri Avinash C. Tickoo, former General Secretaries KSD, Shri Rakesh Kaul, General Secretary Zeethyar Prabandhak Committee, Srinagar, Shri R. K. Mattoo Chairman Kashmiri Hindu Cultural Welfare Trust, Banglaore Shri Vijay Mam, AIR Broadcaster, Shri Arun Kaul, President Satisar CGHS Ltd Dwarka, New Delhi, and Shri R. L. Bindroo, President Harmukh Charitable Trust, Vipin Garden New Delhi. I congratulate all the awardees of the Samman once again.

The Kashmiri Samiti Delhi was awarded, among others, at the Second International Youth Conference organised by Youth for Pannun Kashmir on 27 Dec 2015 at Satya Sai Auditorium, Lodi Road, New Delhi. Kashmiri Samiti Delhi for the services it has rendered to the community since 1990 and also its role as a nodal agency of the KP migrants. The award was presented to Shri Vijay Raina, President KSD by Dr. Agni Shekhar, Dr. Ajay Chrungoo and Dr. S. S. Toshkhani. I am thankful to all members of KSD Executive Committee and other office bearers and activists of the Samiti for making the Dedication Day programme a success. Necessary Information

1. Monthly Cash Relief. The payment of the monthly cash relief (AMR) in Delhi has been made up to Dec 2015, except at some counters having paucity of funds. The KSD is pursuing the matter with the concerned authorities and it is hoped that the AMR will be released soon.

2 Holocaust Day will be observed by KSD on Wednesday, 20 January, 2016 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. All community members are requested to join in their solidarity.

3. Permanent Residence Certificates: Community members waiting for PRCS are requested to wait for some time more. KSD is in touch with the Relief Commissioner, Jammu, and has requested him to visit Delhi this month and the Relief Commissioner, Jammu, assured that he will visit on 28 & 29 January 2016.

Email: sumeerchrungoo@gmail.com General Secretary

Sumeer Chrungoo

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Courtesy:  Sumeer Chrungoo  and January 2016 Koshur Samachar