Maha Samelan  By ASKPC

Martand Staff Correspondent

A delegates session Maha Samelan was organized by All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) 30 May, 2010 at Martand Surya Bhawan, Paloura, Jammu from 10 am. to 5 p.m. The function was presided over by  Pt. A.N. Vaishnavi, Father of the community and Chief guest of the function was Swami Kumarji. The other distinguished guests of the function were Dr K L. Chowdri, Retd. Session Judge Sh. B.L. Saraf, Sh. A.K. Dewani, Sh. Ashwani Chrangoo, Sh. Hira Lal Jad.

The function started with lighting of 'Deep' by Pt. A.N. Vaishnavi and Chief Guest Swami Kumarji. Shri Ganesh Asthuti and Sarswati Vandna was recited by a social activist Sh. Jai Kishen Khar.

Sh. H.L. Chatta. General Secretary of the organization welcomed the guests and delegates and read the General Secretary's Report.

The Chief guest Swami Kumarji stressed for the eradication of social evils in the community. Smt. Phoolaji, a social activist, also stressed for eradication of 'Dehej Pratha' presently adopted by the community and un-necessary expenditure being spend on engagements and marriage ceremonies of boys and girls In this connection a committee was framed headed by Swami Kumarji with Sh. S.N. Pandit, Jai Krishen Khar and Smt. Phoolaji as its members. They will address the social evils creeping in the community. Swami Kumarji also stressed to avoid any drink party in the marriage and other religious ceremonies.

Mr. M.L. Malla read the Economic Resolution and charged the Government for its failure to mitigate the suffering of Kashmiri Pandits. He felt deep concern that the number of Kashmiri Pandit employees in public and Government sectors is declining fast, because of retirement. He expressed surprise that it took twenty long years for Government of India to come up with economic package and further pointed out that no measures have been taken to rehabilitate such KPs who were dependent upon the agriculture and business.

The Resolution was seconded by an Advocate Sh. Ravinder Raina. It was decided to revamp women's cell and Youth Cell to make them more efficient and community oriented.

One of the most important resolution passed was that of Temple/Shrines Bill which was read by Prof T N Shalla and seconded by Sh. R L Raina. Addressing the audience Prof. Shalla narrated tale of desecration, encroachment and total neglect of Kashmiri Pandit temples in the Valley. Sh. Raina highlighted the callousness of Tourism Department in encroaching temple land in Gulmarg. They strongly demanded that shrines and religious, places of Kashmiri Pandits be cleared of encroachments immediately.

The political resolution was read by Sh. R.K. Raina and seconded by Kundan Kashmiri. They expressed the concern that K.Ps were not only marginalized by excluded in economic, culture,

political and social front.

They charged the Government of India of using (minority) Hindus of Kashmir as cannon-fodder for its experiments with so called secularism. They laid stress that appeasement policy won't help, further adding that vote bank politics should be shunned at all costs. It was stressed that Govt. of India always ignored KPs who became victims of Pan Islamic fundamentalist forces. It was decided that separate Kashap State should be carved out in J&K where KPs, POK refugees and nationalist Muslims can live with free flow of Indian constitution. In this connection, it was decided that separate Kashap State should be carved out in J&K where KPs, POK refugees and nationalist Muslims can live with free flow of Indian Constitution. In this connection, it was decided that six seminars would be held at Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Mumbai, Banglore and Pune.

Addressing the audience, Sh. B.L. Saraf highlighted the need of minority status for KPs. Many distinguished community members were honoured for their meritorious services rendered by them to the community. Among those who were honoured were S/Shree D N Kissu, O N Kak, Rajiv Bhat, Atanji Nehru, Janki Nath Gagusu and Ashok Kangan. All of there were presented Swarropa for their social activities. Besides S/Sh. Avtar Bhat of Excelsior, Sh. Raman Raina Photo journalist of Shadow was felicitated for their journalistic merit. Sh. B.L. Handoo was fecilitated for rendering meritorious services in running of Kashmir's oldest newspaper 'The Martand' S/Sh. Ashok Dhar, Prem Nath Dulloo and Rakesh Tickoo were felicitated for their meritorious services in ASKPC.

Dr K L Chowdri a poet and physician laid stress on the strengthening of the community by making it more unified. The Maha Samelan was concluded by vote of thanks from the ASKPC President, Pt. A.N. Vaishnavi. About 1000 delegates were present to make the occasion a memorable one. During the Samelan the delegates were served with tea (Kehwa & Kulcha) and Lunch.

The function was grand success. It rekindled the love of Kashmir among those who were present. One felt positive that ASKPC is doing a great service in trying to restore KPs in their original homeland Economic Bill. Temple Bill and Political Resolution were the highlight of the 'Samelan'. A committee was constituted to see that temple bill should be passed by the legislature at the earliest. Important members of the community were romped for this purpose. An forceful political resolution was passed and it was decided that if no concrete steps are taken to build an Kashap land, KPs will form Govt. in exile.

The bonhomie and warmth felt in the Conference was seen to be believed. It was among the best programmes of the community conducted by ASKPC. Mention has to be made of H.L. Chatta, M.K. Sher, B.L. Handoo, Subash Chatta, Ravi Raina, Ashok Dhar, Rakesh Suri, Rakesh Tickoo, P L Sudeshi. D.N. Kissu, O.N. Bhat and others. They were instrumental in making the function a grand success. Concluded the function Sh. A.N. Vaishnavi thanked all these activists for their dedication in making the function a success.

DISCLAIMER:                                                      The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article.

Courtesy: The Martand- The Official organ of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference: 25th February, 2010