Excelsior Correspondent/UNI
ON BOARD PRESIDENT’S SPECIAL IAF AIRCRAFT, Sept 28: President Pranab Mukherjee today said situation was improving in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I got a very good impression that things are improving,” the President said after winding up his three-day visit to Kashmir, his first after becoming the Head of State.
Speaking to a small group of reporters who accompanied him to Kashmir, the President said he had met a cross-section of the people during his visit and was briefed about the situation.
He also held meetings with Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who called on him during the past two days.
Mr Mukherjee said he had met several groups of people representing various areas of activity, including associations of fruit growers, saffron growers and artisans, representatives of various tribes like Gujjars and Paharis.
“Some of them had come with problems,” he said.
He said some wanted Scheduled Tribe status an he had told them that he could discuss it with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
The President, who addressed the 18th Convocation of the Kashmir University in Srinagar yesterday and presented gold medals and awards to students, said he was particularly impressed that nearly 85 per cent girls were award winners.
Asked about his boat ride around the famous Dal Lake yesterday, Mr Mukherjee said de-weeding work was going on and had helped clean large parts of the lake.
The lotus flower that is grown in the Dal Lake, is highly profitable as almost all parts of the flower have economic potential.
He had an interaction with groups of intellectuals, including educationists, last night and advised them to imbibe the principles of universalism and pluralism of Rabindranath Tagore.
Meanwhile, Governor N. N. Vohra and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today saw off President Pranab Mukherjee at the Srinagar International Airport in Srinagar this morning.
The President, who was in Kashmir for 3-day visit among other engagements addressed the 18th Convocation of Kashmir University and gave away medals and certificates to the passed out students. He had one-to-one meetings with the Governor and the Chief Minister. He also attended dinners hosted by the Governor and the Chief Minister. The President visited Mughal Gardens, had a Shikara ride in Dal Lake to witness its beauty and measures in place for the conservation and protection of the world famous fresh water lake.
Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad and other senior officers were present at the Srinagar Airport on the occasion.
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