Kashmir Bhawan Calling

 

The memories are still fresh and no one can ever forget the threatening calls coming from the mosques and the crowds out on the roads raising sky-rending slogans asking "Indian agents" to leave Kashmir "Leave, convert or die!" obnoxious voices warned us in no unclear terms. The nightmare of the 19 and 20 January 1990 still sends a shiver through our spines. Our whole community was so paralyzed with that we were left with no option but to leave our homes and hearts to save our lives, honour and dignity Twenty-six long years have passed since then but the community is still suffering in exile. And neither the Government of India nor the State Government came to our rescue, leaving us to our own fate. Even after the mass exodus of 1990, no one came forward to address our problems. It is since then the exiled community has been observing this day as Holocaust Day

Like previous years, this year to the Kashmin Samiti observed the Holocaust Day on January 20 A protest was organized at Jantar Mantar where a large number of community members gathered fully responding the Samiti's call Leaders of several KP organizations such as Panun Kashmir, APMCC, AIKS and other community leaders joined KSD's President Vijay Raina and other representatives on this solemn occasion and spoke on the exodus and resettlement and other related issues Apart from leaders of Kashmin Pandit bodies, the gathering was also addressed by Major General (Rtd) Sukhbir Singh and Major (Rtd) Rameshwar Pandey, leaders of the OROP movement, who assured that the Ex-servicemen. The Federation will always support the cause of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Expressing their opinion, the speakers. urged the community to observe the Holocaust Day on a common platform and a commonly agreed preferably 20th January. It was decided that KSD will initiate the process of forming of a joint committee which could represent the community in presenting the problem of the community's return to the valley and other problems confronting it. Kashmiri Samiti Delhi was lauded for setting an example in successfully pursuing the community's concerns and taking care of its welfare during exile.

It was heartening to see former KSD presidents, Shri C.L. Gadoo, Dr. L.N. Dhar and Shri J.L. Bhat actively participated in the programme. I would like to offer special thanks on behalf of the Samiti to former President Shri JL Bhat who despite his ailing health attended the programme at Jantar Mantar though it was very cold in Delhi that day. Shri GL. Gadoo, a former KSD President was present there throughout the day It was under Shri Gadoo's Presidentship that KSD and other prominent community bodies had decided to observe 20 January as Holocaust Day every year. In fact, we at Kashmiri Samiti Delhi are following the precepts of senior leaders like him since 1991 The printer and publisher Shri N.N. Zijoo, could not attend the programme due to cold weather. In his message he conveyed that this day should be remembered by us on 20th January every year. 

Educational facilities

With the beginning of the new academic session, we have continued to seek extension of reservation in various academic programmes for our community students. It has been a continuous endeavour on the part of the Samiti every year to retain these reservations and expand their scope to other areas where they are non-existent. Orders for the extension of such facilities in educational disciplines are expected to be issued soon.

In the meanwhile the parents are requested to keep their documents ready including the migrant certificate for their wards so that they may not face any problem later on. They should try to obtain this certificate early after taking a recommendation letter from this organisation. 

KSD Meeting with the Divisional Commissioner

President KSD Shri Vijay Raina and General Secretary Sumeer Chrungoo met the Divisional Commissioner Government of Delhi NCT in his office chambers on February 3, 2016 regarding non-availability of funds in various Districts of Delhi especially in North West District for payment of AMRS to Kashmiri displaced persons. The payment was pending since September 2015 KSD delegation apprised the DC of the difficulties faced by the relief holders of various districts in the Delhi region due to non-payment of AMRs. The Divisional Commissioner after a brief hearing called the Deputy Commissioner HQ and directed him to have the AMRS released within a week's time in all the districts. He also called the DC Finance in this connection and asked him to get the funds released on a priority basis from the Finance Department of the Government of Delhi immediately so that the cash relief could be paid to the relief holders. The Divisional Commissioner directed that if the funds from the Delhi Government are not allotted within the stipulated time, the DC HQ, DC Finance and DC Kanjhawala should make funds available from their budgeted funds. KSD therefore requests relief holders to wait for some time more and have their payments released.

Non-receipt of Koshur Samachar

We have been receiving complaints from several subscribers about not receiving the Koshur Samachar magazine. While we take every care in dispatching copies of the magazine to all genuine subscribers, the possibility of not receiving their copies by such subscribers remains. This is probably due to misplacement of copies in the Post Offices. To help such subscribers we would like to advise them that they should lodge their complaints on our helpline 09717129019 or our landline No.011-26465280 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all working days. In case the complainant is not convinced by the reply he/she receives, he/she may contact the undersigned on mobile No.09810803164. Let me again assure subscribers that we are very particular about proper delivery of the magazine well in time.

DISCLAIMER: 

The views expressed in the Article above are Sumeer Chrungoo  views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

Courtesy: Sumeer Chrungoo  and Koshur Samachar 2016, February