Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Nov 9: Underscoring the importance of education in the socio-economic empowerment, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said Islam has laid ample stress on seeking knowledge, making it a compulsory obligation.
Addressing the annual day function of Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute here, the Chief Minister said education is a great leveler to bridge any social and economic gap in society and reminded the students how much stress Islam has laid on seeking knowledge.
Mehbooba Mufti reminded the students that Iqra (learn) was the first verse to have been revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and seeking knowledge was made Farz (compulsory) for every Muslim. Importance of education has been stressed in Islam time and again and preventing or disrupting education is a disservice to Islam, she said.
The Chief Minister complimented the Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute for its efforts in spreading education in Chenab valley region during 111 years of its existence since 1905. She announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for the school for its further development and infrastructure upgradation while assuring all possible help to the institute.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the charitable institutes like Auqafs and trusts in the State to emulate successful models like Islamia Faridia Trust, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Mata Vaishno Devi University etc. where the offerings and other donations were gainfully used to spread education, make colleges, universities and hospitals. “This is the best use of these offerings and real tribute to these saints and deities,” she added.
Responding to the demands put forth, Mehbooba Mufti said there is a need to construct tunnels like Vailoo-Singhpora and on Mughal road. She said the bed strength of Kishtwar hospital would be increased from 100 beds to 200 and possibility of setting up a cancer hospital would also be explored. She said one nursing college has been started in the town and another college would also be set up soon.
The Chief Minister described Kishtwar as hub of generating hydel power and assured people that money under Corporate Social Responsibility of the companies operating in the area would be spent on the welfare of its people.
The Chief Minister, on the occasion, distributed Faridia Gold medals among the dedicated teachers of the institute.
Minister of State for Hajj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Andrabi in his address also appreciated the contribution of the school in the spread of education in the area and hoped one day the institute would become a good university in the region.
MLC, Firdous Tak also addressed the gathering and said it was the dream of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to see Kishtwar develop as any other modern town of the State.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, said the Chenab valley is full of tourist potential and Government is making efforts to make it part of the adventure and trekking circuit which would generate huge employment for the local youth.
Addressing a well attended gathering after laying foundation stone of a Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Gulabgarh, the Chief Minister said unemployment is a major problem in the region and tourism has huge potential of employing local youth. She said the area falls in the trekking route to Zanaskar and would also be made part of the adventure track.
The Chief Minister said Machail Yatra also gives employment to local youth and efforts would be made to attract tourists to the area. She said many development activities have been started in the area which would mitigate the problems of the people to a great extent.
The Chief Minister said many developmental initiatives have been planned for the area including a Degree College at Paddar and a separate Maternal and Child Hospital. She said the area is known for sapphire mines and the Government is keen to get the same tendered out so that the area gets a developmental and economic push.
Minister of State for Transport, Sunil Sharma in his address said the area is poised for a developmental push and many new schemes and programmes for the area have been thought out.
Earlier, Chief Minister visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA) and paid her obeisance on the occasion of the annual Urs.
On this occasion, she felicitated people of the state in general, and people of Chenab valley region in particular, and hoped such occasions bring back the people their age old practices of harmony, brotherhood and amity.
Minister of State for Hajj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi and Secretary, Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah accompanied the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister later also visited the shrine of Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-Din Bagdadi (RA) and Hazrat Shah Akhyar-ud-Din (RA) and prayed for peace, prosperity and well being of the State and its people.
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