JAMMU JULY 11 : Exuding confidence about National Conference forming government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own with absolute majority, Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Thursday said that all permutations and combinations by opponents would fall flat as political chemistry developing on ground zero ahead of assembly elections will surprise all, especially the political pundits.
“Jammu and Kashmir is bubbling with enthusiasm to have a strong, stable and responsive government under the banner of National Conference”, Mr Rana said while paying homage to Madr-e-Meharban Begum Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah on her 19th death anniversary at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon.
The day-long women convention was organized by Women Wing Provincial President Mrs Satwant Kaur Dogra to commemorate the death anniversary of Madr-e-Meharban.
A two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of Madr-e-Meharban.
Mr Rana declared that National Conference would not need crutches to form the government as the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have made their mind to give a massive mandate to it since the coalition culture has proven detrimental to the interests of the state. The people, he said want good and responsive governance, jobs for youth, equitable development of all regions and sub-regions, vigorous implementation of welfare schemes, improving the quality of life of poor and weaker sections, politio-economic empowerment of marginalized segments of society especially the women.
“The track record of National Conference governments in the past stand testimony to its sincerity and ability to deliver on ground zero”, Mr Rana added.
The Provincial President reiterated commitment of National Conference to 33 per cent reservation for women in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly once voted to power. This will be biggest tribute to Madr-e-Meharban, the champion of women emancipation and empowerment in the State. He said carving out a huge role for women in decision making and bringing them in the forefront to lead various disciplines will be in consonance with the mission of Begum Sahiba, which has to be accomplished with sincerity of purpose.
Making a fervent appeal to the people to maintain the glorious traditions of amity and tranquility by isolating disruptive and peace inimical forces, Mr Rana said promoting brotherhood in the obtaining unfavourable atmosphere is need of the time. He called for preserving the unique character of unity in diversity of the state. “This has been the cherished agenda of Sher-e-Kashmir and Begum Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah who worked tirelessly all their life to strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood between communities and regions. He particularly referred to the role played by Madr-e-Mehrban in bringing about harmony, promoting female literacy, empowering women in different spheres and working towards the betterment of down-trodden segments of society, irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
Paying tributes to Madr-e-Mehbran, National Conference Women Wing Provincial President Mrs Satwant Kaur Dogra recalled her role as a conscious-keeper of the party during imprisonment of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah for 22 years. She said Madr-e-Meharban proved to be an affectionate mother, a dynamic leader and a great human being who had concern for the welfare and well-being of the people.
Mrs Dogra recalled the contribution of Begum Sahiba in women emancipation and empowerment and said the best tribute to her would be to concentrate on improving the status of women and ensuring their dignity at all costs.
“Madr-e-Mehrban led the National Conference at a very crucial juncture of the political evolution of Jammu and Kashmir when Baba-e-Quom was in prison”, Mrs Dogra said adding that she infused strength in the party cadre to meet the challenges with fortitude. She said that Begum Sahiba will always remain an inspiration for women of the state who want to play equal role in socio-economic transformation.
While former MLC Th Kashmira Singh read out a poem as part of tribute to Madr-e-Meharban, National Conference Women Wing State Vice President Mrs Bimla Luthra, Mrs Rashida Begum, Mrs Kuldeep Kour, Mrs Amrit Versha, Mrs Soma Devi, Mrs Puspa Dogra and Mrs Daljeet Sharma dwelt upon various facets of the public service rendered by Begum Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah.
Prominent among those who paid floral tributes to Madr-e-Mehrban included senior leaders and former ministers Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra and Mr Surjeet Singh Salathia besides Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Th Rachpal Singh, Mr Vijay Bakaya, Mrs Swaran Latta, Mr B. R Kundal, Mr Jugal Mahajan, Mr Anil Dhar, Mr Pardeep Bali, Mr G.H Malik, Mr Vijay Lochan, Mr Abdul Gani Teli, Sardar Narinder Singh, Mr Mohinder Gupta, Mrs Veena Oberai, Mr Sardar Sucha Singh, Mr Ashok Singh Manhas, Mr Ravi Dogra, Mr Rakesh Singh Raka, Mr Som Raj Taroch, Mr Ashok Kumar Dogra, Ch. Rehmat Ali, Mr Rameshwar Dutt, Dr. Gaffoor, Mrs Asha Mehra, Mrs Raj Kour, Mrs Rekha langeh , Mrs Rekha Chib, Mr D. S Kurana, Mr Rajeev Mahajan, Mr Rohit Bali, Mr Subash Mehra, Dr Tara Chand, Mr Ashtosh Wali, Kr. Yashwardan Singh, Mr Sardar Parvinder Singh, Mr Devi Dayal Jogi and others.
Earlier in the morning, Quran Khwani was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan.
The 19th death anniversary of Madre-e-Meharban was observed at district and block levels of Jammu region. At Doda, the District President and former minister Mr Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy paid rich tributes to Begum Sahiba.
