Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Sept 23 :
The Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) and All Jammu Civil Society Forum (AJCSF) celebrated the 125th Janmotsav of the last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh Ji at DSS Bhawan at Dogra Hall Jammu today. Th. Gulchain Singh Charak along with all other members of the DSS and AJCSF paid floral tributes to the reverenced Maharaja.
Number of people from all walks of life had gathered to remember the great deeds of the Maharaja known for his secular credentials, broader outlook and social transformation of the whole state of J&K.
Addressing the gathering, the Former Minister & President DSS, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak reiterated long, pending demand for declaring 23rd September as a state holiday keeping in view the popular sentiments and over whelming public aspirations of Jammu region. A joint resolution was passed by all the present members exhorting all Dogra leaders from political, commercial, academic, religious and all other walks of life to rise above any differences and urge the government in one voice to declare 23rd September as a holiday for motivation of posterity.
Sh. Charak who is also convener of AJCSF described Maharaja as a great visionary, a true patriot, progressive thinker and above all a great social reformer. His life can be an inspiration for generations to come. He lauded the great efforts of Maharaja for introducing Free Education for all, promoting Widow Remarriages, Banning of Smoking at all public places, Enacting laws for Prohibiting Child-Marriage, throwing open temples for one and all, Banning of untouchability and other progressive steps promoting girl’s education. DSS president also recalled Maharaj’s famous words. “As a Ruler, I have no religion, All Religions are mine and my religion is Justice.”
President DSS also expressed his serious concern about the rise in heavy shelling and firing on International Border and LoC right from Kathua to Poonch targeting the civilian areas with a view to cause damage to civil population and internationalize the Kashmir issue. This has caused panic among the border residents resulting in loss of lives and property and closure of educational institutions. The student community is disturbed at loss of precious academic schedule. Charak urged upon the Hon’ble Governor Sh. Satya Pal Malik to expedite the construction of bunkers in the border areas to save the precious lives of the people.
He also cautioned about the drug menace spreading like wild fire among the youth of both urban and rural areas and exhorted to launch a strong movement against this evil. He also stressed upon the state institution to setup counseling and rehabilitation centers and also organize awareness programmes.
Prominent among those who addressed the gathering were Sh. Prem Sagar Gupta, Col. Dr Virendra K. Sahi, VrC, Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, Prof. Anita Billawaria, Brig. M. S. Jamwal, Janak Khajuria, Maj. General Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, S. Kulbir Singh, Bharat Bhushan Talwar, Ravi Rohmetra, Dr. M. R. Bhamagi, J. P. Singh, J. S. Babli, Pritam Singh Charak, Rajinder Gupta, Madan Singh Charak, Madan Rangila, Dr. Sant Kumar Digra, Dhrub Singh, Chhankar Singh, Ranjit Singh, Raghubir Singh, Chuni Lal, Des Raj Bhagat, Ashok Singh, Ravi Singh, Parshotam Thapa, Raj Kumar Sharma and Vidya Sagar Sharma. In the end parshad was distributed among all the participants.
