1995 05 Dr L N Dhar  --  General Secretary's ( Dr L N Dhar ) Kashmiri Samiti Delhi Report

Dr L N Dhar 

(L N Dhar  --  General Secretary's Report to the General Body for the period 20th November, 1994 to 25th March, 1995).

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege for me to present before this august body the report on the activities of Kashmiri Samiti, alongwith the auditors report for the financial year 1993-94 and also the income and expenditure statement for the current year upto 28th of February, 1995.

During the period, the Kashmiri Samiti continued with its activities for the welfare of the community in social, cultural, educational fields, relief and rehabilitation and above all on the political front. More than five years have passed since we were forced to leave the Valley and during all these years of desperation and unparalleled sufferings, the Govt. has not made any concrete effort to redeem the community.

You are all aware that the Govt. is planning to hold elections in J&K State in July 1995 and probably have an understanding with some militant leaders in the Valley but Kashmiri Pandits who are the worst sufferers in this entire militancy are not at all considered a party to the issue. It is unfortunate that criminals and barbarians responsible for killings of Kashmiri Pandits which led to our mass exodus are now trying to give a secular colour to the ongoing militancy, and the Govt. of India is glorifying them at every stage. If such elections take place Kashmiri Pandits will be asked to go back to the Valley and that would mean another exodus for us as the conditions there are not conducive for our return at the present moment. It is clear that there is a conspiracy to dislodge and destabilise us again in the name of so-called secularism. The Govt. gives an impression to international agencies that normalcy has been restored in the Valley. But all this drama should not be at the cost of Kashmiri Pandits and we cannot be considered as a commodity that would be shifted from one place to another at the whims and fancies of the political leaders or the militants.

So the time ahead is very crucial for us and every step from our side has to be very careful to protect our political and constitutional rights and give us an honourable and safe future in any proposed political set up of Kashmir. This can be achieved when we have a strong organisation to fight effectively on various fronts. Kashmiri Samiti as the central organisation in the capital has much more responsibility of responding to the situation and all of us have to put in our efforts in the right direction for the overall benefit of the community.

Kashmiri Samiti has organised many events during the period and here is a brief account of some of the important events and activities:

1. All Organisational Meeting

As per the directive of the General Council at its meeting held on the 20th November, 1994 a meeting of all the Kashmiri Pandit Organisations was convened by Kashmiri Samiti on 18th December, 1994. The meeting was attended by leaders and representatives of various organisations and political parties from different parts of the country. The agenda of the meeting was -"Our Role and Status in the Proposed Elections in J&K". The decisions taken in the meeting have already been conveyed to the community through media and also through our official organ-Koshur Samachar. Here I would like to make mention of the resolutions passed there:

(a) The meeting called on all the Kashmiri Pandits throughout the country to register themselves as in Voter List and urged the Govt. to extend the last date of registration as voters by a further period of six months.

(b) The meeting condemned the partisan role of the organisation of Islamic countries in extending support to terrorist forces in Kashmir in their CASBALANCA Meet and asked these Muslim countries to force Pakistan and Islamic fundamentalists in Kashmir to eschew violence and restore human rights of the non-muslim population in the Valley.

(c) A committee was constituted to chalk out future programmes and monitor activities in connection with the start of political process in Kashmir.

2. Holocaust Day

Holocaust Day was observed on 20th January, 1995 as it was on this particular day five years when the exodus of our community started from the Valley. The day was marked by a demonstration at Jantar Mantar with one days hunger strike by the activists. Speaker after speaker there were critical of the apathetic attitude of the Govt. towards the Kashmiri Pandit Community. The demonstration was followed by the burning of effigies of Kashmir Terrorism at Jantar Mantar Crossing amidst shouting of anti-Pakistan slogans, denouncing its role in sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir, The event was well covered by the media including the Doordarshan.

3. Meeting with the Department of J&K Affairs

As a follow up of our meeting with the Prime Minister in September 1994 we had regular meetings with the authorities of the Department of J&K Affairs under the control of the Prime Minister. The issues discussed related to the drawal of relief, education of our children, problems of migrant employees, settlement of insurance claims, business class, farmers and other sections of our community. Some of these issues have been resolved and others are under the consideration of the Government.

4. Education Programmes:

In order to make our education programme effective we have set up an education committee comprising of educational experts from our community who render help and guidance to our youth in all the educational activities. We have already earmarked Rs. 36,000-00 for this programme and scholarships have been granted to 15 students with effect from October 1994 for a period of one year in the first instance, after which their performance will be reviewed by the committee for continuation of scholarships. All applications received by us are scrutinised by the committee and also the area representatives so that the needy and deserving students get the benefit.

Further one of our respected community members in U.S.A., Dr. Tej Nath Kaul has offered financial assistance to students undergoing professional courses and such assistance is proposed for the entire course of study. The Kashmiri Samiti has been requested to collect applications and forward the same to USA for their final disposal. In addition Shri N.N. Kaul of Kashmiri Apartment, Pitampura, Delhi will be providing Rs. 1000/- per month for the scholarship programme in the name of his son, late Rajesh Kaul.

5. Annual Hawan

A Maha Yagana for community welfare was held in Kashmir Bhawan as usual on Sunday preceding Maha Shivratri. The Hawan started on 19th February, 1995 in the evening and purnahuti was offered on 20th February, 1995. A large section of our community attended to receive blessings.

6. Migrant Employees Forum:

The Forum held regular meetings to discuss the problems of around 1000 employees who are drawing their salary in Delhi. A Grievance Cell was constituted to look after the individual problems of migrant employees and such issues were taken up with the Resident Commissioner and with the State and Central Governments wherever required. This forum has, in close coordination with the Displaced Employees forum of Jammu, been fighting for the long pending demands of the employees which include release of HRA and CCA, settlement of pension cases, promotion benefits to the employees, framing of employment policy and recruitment of migrant youth in State and Central Govt. services etc. With the start of political process and proposed elections, the migrant employees who will be the first target in so far as return of migrants is concerned have therefore a very vital role to play. In this context we had a meeting with representatives of Employees Forum of Jammu and it was unanimously decided that any step to force migrant employees to return to Valley at this stage when conditions are far from normal, will be fought with full force and strength. The meeting felt that under present circumstances when Head of the State is not safe as is evident from the security lapses which led to series of bomb blasts in Jammu on 26th of January, 1995, how can the safety of Kashmiri Pandits or the migrant employees be ensured in the Valley.

7. Overseas Organisations

Regular contact and close coordination has been maintained with Overseas Organisations of Kashmiri Pandits. Meetings were held with office-bearers and representatives of these organisations on their visits to India and various welfare schemes for the community were discussed from time to time. The Kashmir Overseas Association, a US-based organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, has provided Rs. 62,200/- this year for scholarships to needy and deserving students of our community to carry on their education under our education programme. It may be recalled that KOA had earlier also sponsored the educational assistance programme through Kashmiri Samiti.

8. Placement:

The Placement Cell of Kashmiri Samiti has been providing guidance and assistance to our educated youth in finding jobs and this year we have managed more than 100 such jobs in the private sector and the public sector as well. Here the efforts of Shri S.K. Kher, Secretary are highly appreciated.

9. Meetings with All India Kashmiri Samaj:

Kashmiri Samiti has maintained close co- ordination with the AIKS to have a unified approach to the issues confronting our community. Our representatives attended the meetings organised by AIKS in Delhi, Bombay and other places during the period.

10. Donations

As you all know, Kashmiri Samiti is fully involved in various activities, and to carry on with our programmes of education, medical assistance, financial assistance, we need finances. Though we don't have any source of income as such but it is with the efforts of our respected members that we are able to get donations for continuing the various programmes. The contribution of Prof. Somnath Dhar (C-1, Pamposh Enclave, New Delhi-110048) in collecting donations for the Samiti is highly commendable and we are thankful to him for this noble service to the community. I am pleased to announce that we have received a donation of Rs. 1,47,805/- this year.

11. Appointment of Teachers in Delhi Administration:

As you are already aware, the Delhi Administration has appointed 155 teachers from our community as PGT and TGT on contract basis. Their first term was supposed to complete on 31st of March, 1995 and was to be followed by 3-1/2 month break. Here I am happy to announce that these teachers are likely to be allowed to continue till 15th of May, 1995 followed by two-month vacation break. This has been possible only with the sincere efforts of Shri C.L. former President of the Kashmiri Samiti. We express our gratitude and sincere thanks to the BJP Government of Delhi for this favour.

12. Admissions in Universities and Kendriya Vidyalayas and other Schools run by Delhi

Administration

Kashmiri Samiti with its close follow up with Human Resource Ministry and other agencies has succeeded in securing admissions for more than three hundred students in K.V.'s throughout the country and also in schools run by the Delhi Administration. Similarly admission was granted to more than 50 students in Delhi University for the academic year 1994-95. The efforts of Shri T.N. Gurtoo, Co-ordinator and Shri S.K. Kher, Secretary are highly appreciable to this connection.

13. Media Campaign

To highlight the suffering of our community in exile and in response to the political and other developments taking place in Kashmir we have issued press statements from time to time. Apart from the national press, the international media and the electronic media were also involved regularly.

14. Medical Financial Assistance

Kashmiri Samiti paid an amount of Rs. 17,908.00 as medical relief during the year to needy and deserving patients for undergoing treatment in emergencies. Due to financial constraints we are not in a position to provide assistance to all the cases referred to Delhi for undergoing specialised treatment in various specialities but only emergency cases are considered for such relief. We have earmarked an amount of Rs. 12,000/- for this purpose.

15. Kath Baath

Kashmiri Samiti Study circle titled in Kashmiri as "Kath Baath" has been in existence for the last three years. Such problems facing our homeless refugee community as agitate us most form the agenda of their discussion. These discussions were held regularly during the year and last meeting of "Kath Baath" was held on 4th of March, 1995 at Kashmir Bhawan under the Chairmanship of Shri Hriday N. Nehru. The subject of discussion was "Is Kashmiri Pandit on the Agenda of National Political Parties of India".

16. Koshur Samachar

"Koshur Samachar", the prestigious magazine of our community is issued every month without any break. Today the magazine is a link between community members scattered in different parts of the country and abroad. The magazine covers all the aspects concerning our community at the present juncture. We have been receiving appreciation from our respected community members, intellectuals, journalists and experts for the services rendered to the community through this magazine. The sincere efforts and dedication of the editorial board is highly appreciated and we express our thanks to Shri Gopi Nath Raina, Chief Editor and Shri M.L. Bhat and Prof. C.L. Sapru who are looking after English and, Hindi sections respectively. I feel that 'Koshur Samachar' is incomplete if we don't mention the all time guidance of Shri S.N. Bhat 'Haleem' who has been associated with the magazine for a long time.

17. Special Thanks

Kashmiri Samiti specially thanks Shri S.K. Kaw, Managing Director, Paramarsh Informatics Private Limited, B-4/24 Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi who is rendering remarkable services to "Koshur Samachar" by providing computerised mailing list of the subscribers every month free of any charge. We thank all the donors, advertisers and esteemed members of the committee who have contributed to the Samiti in one way or the other and we expect similar co-operation and support in future also so that this organisation continues to be the front line and prestigious representing body of the community.

Kashmiri Samiti has started various programmes and the executive committee has decided that these programmes will continue in future also. It includes education programmes, medical assistance, Hawan, legal aid and migrant employees forum. Further there are some days which we have been observing during last so many years and these will also continue to be observed in the future. They are 14th August (Black Day), 14th September (Martyrs Day), 25th December (Dedication Day), 20th January (Holocaust Day), and 26th October, (Youth Day.)

We have tried our best to run this organisation as effectively as possible and I feel privileged to have worked in the capacity of the General Secretary under the leadership of Shri Hriday N. Nehru. I am thankful to the members of the Executive Council for their cooperation in discharging my duties as General Secretary. Lastly I thank the staff of the Samiti for their support and cooperation which they extended to me during the last two years.

Thank You,

26, 1995

Dr. L.N. Dhar

General Secretary

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Courtesy: April-May 1995 Koshur Samachar