Mir Iqbal
Chandilora, Baramulla, May 22: Governor N N Vohra today inaugurated ‘Raahat Ghar’ for conflict-affected children for rehabilitation them and widows.
“‘Raahat Ghar’ is one of the most special initiative undertaken by Guild for conflict affected children and widows to provide them shelter, quality education as well as skilled training,” said Dr. V. Mohini Giri, Social Activist and Chairperson Guild for Services.
Dr Giri, wife of former President of India, V V Giri, said the Guild of Service (Central) was established over eight decades ago, is a national-level Social Welfare Organization, set up to co-ordinate activities for the benefit of the economically backward, physically and mentally handicapped and socially weaker sections.
She said it was trauma, turmoil, anger and sadness prevailing in the Kashmir valley that made them (Guild) to formulate an action plan for its implementation towards rehabilitating the conflict ridden orphans and widows.
She said their aim was to be a catalyst of social change thereby maintaining children and women to become self-reliant in order to lead a dignified life. “Guild as a team found its way to battle against all odds to rehabilitate marginalized conflicted children,” Giri said.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Guild has nine-years of experience with the support of the Swadhar Scheme of the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of India.
“During these years, two shelter homes called as ‘Raahat Ghar’, were established where both orphans and widows were provided food, shelter, education, vocational training, medical aid and other facilities,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Girija Dhar, Chairperson Kashmir Intervention, Guild of services in her inaugural address said that it was the generous support of sensitized individuals-Dr Mushtaq Bakshi and Dr Nissar Bakshi that they shifted to Chandilora, Tangmarg from a small home at Zakoora area of Srinagar.
She, said currently there are 68 students enrolled in the home.
On the occasion the children performed stage-plays, sang different songs and also presented some traditionally made goods to the Governor NN Vohra and his wife Usha Vohra.
They also distributed trophies among the top three students who have shown excellent performance in their academics.
The Governor, N.N. Vohra, had visited “Raahat Ghar” when it was earlier located in Zakoora in Srinagar and had lauded the good work being done by Dr Girija Dhar and several other distinguished ladies who comprise the Governing Body of this institution.
Accepting the request of Dr Mohini Giri, President, “Guild of Service”, N.N. Vohra, Governor, and Usha Vohra, First Lady, today travelled to Chandilora in Tangmarg to meet the inmates of “Raahat Ghar” which has recently been shifted here. The Governor complimented Dr Mohini Giri and all her colleagues for their missionary zeal in running an important organisation for promoting the welfare of widows and children, particularly those who had been affected by militancy.
The young girls of “Raahat Ghar” presented a very impressive cultural programme which was prepared under the direction of Jaya Iyer, Project Officer of “Raahat Ghar”. On the occasion, Vohra presented prizes to the meritorious students who had excelled in their studies and the Governor assured that Raahat Ghar would be provided all possible support in consultation with Dr Girija Dhar.
Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, who was present on the occasion, also assured support for the satisfactory functioning of this important establishment which is providing a safe haven and a future for girls from disconnected backgrounds.
Among those present on the occasion were Farooq Lone, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla; Suhail Munawar Mir, Superintendent of Police, Baramulla; Mohammad Shafi Pandit, former Chairman of JKPSC; Prof Andrabi, former Principal, Government College for Women; Nighat Shafi Pandit; Prof Neerja Mattoo and others.
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