Sunday, 1 April 2012

Azad, Karan Singh dedicate JDA park, unveil statue of Maharaja Hari Singh

More than eighty thousand gather to be part of history

JAMMU: – Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad along with Member Parliament and Chairman ICCR Dr. Karan Singh today unveiled statue of Maharaja Hari Singh and dedicated JDA Park on the banks of river Tawi to the memory of Maharaja ji.

The impressive function was attended by a gathering of eighty to ninety thousands people from all across the state, who stood both inside and outside the park and all roads of the area were filled with enthusiasts. These people braved the burning sun for more than three hours to attend the function and be part of the history to honour last ruling Maharaja of the princely State of Jammu & Kashmir.

While addressing the mammoth gathering, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad remembered the contributions of Maharaja Hari Singh and threw light on pro people policies initiated by the Maharaja.

He said three main points that separate the Maharaja from his other counterparts ruling princely states included compulsory primary education, ban on child marriage and opening places of worship for all irrespective of the caste.

The Union Minister said during his tenure as Chief Minister on the grievance of the local residents for lack of green space in the area, the park was envisaged by him and later on it was decided to dedicate the same to the memory of the Maharaja. The park would provide much needed lung space to the overcrowded vicinity and on the banks of Tawi the same would be an attraction for the visiting tourists, he added.

He said the park and a museum in Srinagar have been constructed by the money received as fees under the Roshni Act of the State, adding that twenty five lack kanals of the state land has been transferred free under the Act and fees was charged from lease holders to give ownership rights.

On the occasion, Mr. Azad recalled the contributions of stalwart leaders of the country like, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Mr. Rajiv Gandhi in strengthening democracy. He said presently Chairperson UPA Madam Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh are leaving no stone unturned to address development aspirations of all sections of society.

“In order to promote education at primary level, the UPA is striving to open primary school in every village of the country and special attention is being paid to check child marriage,” he added.

Among others, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand, Member of Parliament Mr. Lal Singh, Minister for Public Enterprises Mr. Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Tourism Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Health Mr. Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Medical Education Mr. R. S. Chib, Minister for PHE Mr. Taj Mohi-ud- Din, Minister for Revenue Mr. Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Cooperative Dr. Manohar Lal, Minister of State for PDD Mr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for Rural Development Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Vice-Chairman Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Mr. Rashpal Singh, Chairperson, Social Welfare Advisory Board Mrs. Khem Lata Wakhloo, MLAs Mr. G. M. Saroori, Mr. G. A. Mir, Mr. Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Mr. Ashok Khajuria, Mr. Ashok Kumar, Mr. A.M. Wani, Mr. Vikar Rasool, MLCs Mr. Ajatshatru Singh, Mr. Jugal Kishore, Mr. B . R. Kundal, Former Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma, Former Ministers Mr. G. S. Charak, Mrs. Suman Lata Bhagat and Choudhary Garu Ram, President Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mr. Y. V. Sharma, President Rajput Sabha Mr. Narayan Singh, President Ravi Dass Sabha Mr. Peeran Ditta, other senior leaders, prominent citizens and a large number of respectable people also graced the occasion.

Mr. Azad said in the State the Coalition government headed by Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah is working for all round development of the State and major development initiatives have been taken for over all progress and prosperity of the State, adding that coalition works are inclusive development of all the three regions and sub regions of the state.

He said development is a collective effort and everybody should join hands to take the State ahead on the path of peace and progress. Focused attention has to be paid to address the development aspirations of those living in rural, far flung and hilly belts of the State, he added.

The Union Minister greeted people on the occasion of Ram Navami and called for massive public support to the government in the forthcoming financial year so as to write a new chapter in development history of the State.

Deputy Chief Minister in his address said that it was the endeavour of the government to provide all basic facilities to the people on priority basis, adding that a well conceived programme has been devised to address all issues in a phased manner. He said that provision for better healthcare, education, PHE, and road connectivity are the priority sectors for the government. He sought people’s cooperation in implementing all government schemes so that the benefits of such scheme reach to the needy.

Underlining commitment of the government for all round development of the State, Mr. Tara Chand said the present government headed by Mr. Omar Abdullah is steadfast to develop the state into most modern one and is furthering the development initiatives launched during the time of Jenab Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister. He said Mr. Azad had taken landmark initiatives for the State which inter alia include, eight new districts, mega development projects, new university campus, central university, degree colleges and schools.

Speaking on the occasion, Member Parliament Mr. Lal Singh said that Maharaja Hari Singh was a patriotic, daring dignitary and dynamic personality of the Royal Family son of Raja Amar Singh.

1 comment: