Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Nov, 28
Mohammad Shafi Pandit ( IAS rtd) Former Chairman J&K PSC, has been re-elected as President and Padam Shri S.P Varma as Chairman of Youth Hostel Association of India, J&K State Branch in the Triennial Election meeting. Members of State Council representing all the three regions attended the election meeting under the close supervision of central Observer Shri K. Subramanayam from Chhattisgarh deputed by National Head Quarter of Youth Hostel Associations of India, New Delhi. Elections held under the supervision of Mr G.R Bhagat, IAS (Retd) former commissioner/Secretary who was appointed as presiding officer for elections. Mr. Soba Ram (KAS rtd) and Mr. Shoukat Ashai were deputed as members of Scrutiny committee along with Dr. Taran Singh State Secretary.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mohd. Shafi Pandit congratulates the newly elected office bearers and said that the Youth Hostelling movement will achieve greater heights under the able leadership of new office bearers. He also said that Jammu and Kashmir state has got lot of tourism potential and YHAI state branch has this opportunity to attract people from across the country and abroad to visit this beautiful state as far as adventure and eco tourism is concerned. He also suggested the state team to involve women and youths in the state executive to make state team more dynamic and vibrant. Padam Shri Dr. S.P. Varma while addressing the council members on the occasion stressed upon the members to gear up for the adventure activities in this Himalayan state.
He appreciated the efforts of district teams for their relentless hard work and thanked Mohd Shafi Pandit who is also National President of YHAI which is an associate member and part of the Hostelling International, UK since 1952, which has a network in 90 countries with a total of 4500 youth hostels. The members of YHAI are eligible to stay in any youth hostel, in any of the associate country. In India, YHAI has a network of more than 95 Youth Hostels, starting from Leh-Ladakh to the Andaman and Nicobar islands for his unconditional support to the state team. He appreciated the efforts of Dr. Taran Singh for discovering new treks for association and department of tourism . Keeping in view the services rendered He, with the permission of chair and with the consent of house appointed Dr. Taran Singh as State Secretary for the period of 3 years.
