Karra, CEO SMVDSB, Wangchuk call on Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Aug 19: Tariq Hameed Karra, former Member of Parliament and Member, Congress Working Committee, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today and expressed concern about the legal challenge to Article 35 A of the Indian Constitution.
Karra discussed with Governor certain issues about the implementation of development schemes in the State and welcomed the decision for the long pending elections to Municipalities and Panchayats being conducted in Oct-Dec this year.
Governor urged Karra to raise awareness about the vital importance of establishing and strengthening grass root democratic institutions which are crucial for leaders of rural and urban communities determining their development priorities and also becoming responsible for implementing their own welfare programmes.
Dheeraj Gupta, CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) also met Governor, who is Chairman of the Board.
Gupta briefed Governor about the to-date progress of the Board’s various important projects which are under implementation in the Katra and the Shrine area.
Sonam Wangchuk, a Ladakhi engineer, innovator and education reformist, along with Gitanjali, CEO, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, also met Governor and informed him about the outcome of his continuing endeavours to reform the education system and bring it in sync with ground realities by pursuing locally relevant knowledge, values and skills through Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) which was founded in 1988.
He informed Governor about his recent initiative of establishing the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, a skill-based University, which will encourage experimental learning via practical application of knowledge.
Governor congratulated Wangchuk on his receiving this year’s prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award and lauded his various innovative contributions in improving the lives of people in the remote mountainous region of Ladakh, including the Ice Stupa for the conservation of water in the arid villages of Ladakh.
Meera Khanna, Trustee & Executive Vice-President, The Guild of Service informed Governor about the various facilities and institutions which are being run by the Guild of Service to alleviate the lot of women and children who have suffered since the onset of terrorism in the Valley.
Governor urged Khanna to see that The Guild of Service continued with its ongoing philanthropic activities at Srinagar and Tangmarg and assured his support to The Guild.
While re-iterating the crucial importance of peace and normalcy being restored in the State, Governor advised the Guild to particularly focus on providing vocational training to girls and women and carrying out programmes for counselling youth against being exploited by those who espouse violence.

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