From The President's Desk

Sunil Shakdher President Kashmir Samiti 2004  

I do not remember any period in my life when I was not associated with the great institute called the Kashmiri Samiti, Delhi. As a child I was witness to a few individuals with big hearts, meeting together to ponder over the state and the problems of our community. They were concerned at the continual exodus of our Biradari members from Kashmir. For a majority of these exodus Delhi became the anchor point. They faced great privations But they stood by each other It was this feeling that ultimately led to the establishment of Kashmir Sahayak Sabha which was later rechristened as the Kashmiri Samiti Delhi. During my growing years I saw the Samiti taking shape. The building of Kashmir Bhawan was a great landmark. It at once, came to represent the growing aspirations of our community And as I grew I too was drawn into its activities in one way or the other. I always looked at the Samiti as a sacred institution. It was in 1984 that I was fully drawn into the Samiti affairs. It was that year that a few of our dedicated elders decided to reopen the Kashmir Bhawan which had been closed down for a few years before that due to an unfortunate legal battle With a modest beginnings of arranging a 'hawan' the Kashmir Bhawan doors were opened once again. The "Koshur Samachar '' which too had been closed was revived with great success. This was the beginning of the active phase of my association with the Samiti. While we were happily forging ahead with the re-incarnated Samiti, we were faced with the holocaust of loot and arson of KP property and Hindu Shrines in Kashmir in early 1986. The Samiti magnificently rose to the occasion under the dedicated leadership of Shri Jawahar Lal Bhatt Our liaison with local organisations of Kashmir improved greatly resulting in our holding two highly successful international conferences on Kashmir It was during this period that the Samiti affiliated formally to All India Kashmir Samaj. The out break of militancy in 1989-90 brought great responsibilities on the Samiti's shoulders. Because of its organisational soundness and presence of dedicated leaders and workers the Government of India made Kashmiri Samiti, Delhi as the nodal agency for relief to the migrants /displaced persons. What happened during all these years is recent history and I would not like to reiterate it. Suffice it to say that these years have been a test of our patience, endurance and dedication. It was unanimously decided to request the AIKS to take over the role of overall coordination of KP activities globally. This was the first solid expression of KP solidarity.

I must confess, with all humility, that over the year that the AIKS and its affiliated units starting drifting apart. The units as well as the AIKS were responsible for it. The gulf in communication was widening. Vested interests who did not want to see AIKS growing as a strong uniting force started playing mischief. Recourse was taken to rumour mongering in the worst manner. It is painful for me to admit that such mischief mongering is at its peak at the moment. Elements who were defeated in open elections are seeking revenge by creating a hiatus between KSD and the AIKS

I want to make it very clear that as far as I am concerned I uphold the importance and the position of AIKS and would do anything to concretize the dream of my mentors True, lately some bitterness has crept in relations but I am sure if the AIKS President so chooses we can together demolish the detractors. He will not find me or the KSD wanting. Let us go above personalities and concentrate on community matters. On behalf of my Executive Council, I take this opportunity to convey my heartiest felicitations to my brothers and sisters on the eve of "Happy Raksha Bandhan.

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Courtesy:- Sunil Shakdher and 2004 August Koshur Samachar