Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Rich tributes were paid to Sarwanand Kaul Premi a veteran freedom fighter, well known academician, noted poet and author from Kashmir on his 27 th martyrdom day today at a function organised by Jammu & Kashmir Cultural Academy at K L Sehgal Hall here today.
Speaker Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion while MLC Girdhari Lal Raina (Ajay Bharti) was the guest of honour and former Deputy Director DD, Tej Rawal was special guest .
On this day in 1990 this great progressive writer of Kashmir was kidnapped by terrorists along with his young son Virender Kaul and were killed.
Popularly known as “Premi”, he has authored more than two dozen books, which include translation of world famous Geetanjali, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Ramayan, Russian folk tales etc into Kashmiri. Started his career with “All India Spinners Association”, started by Mahatma Gandhi, got influenced by Gandhian philosophy and was involved in Freedom Movement. He remained underground at the age of 17 during “Quit India Movement”, 1942. He took active part in “Quit Kashmir Movement 1946” and was arrested dozens of times. Premi ceaselessly worked and profusely wrote for communal harmony and universal brotherhood.
Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary (J) in his welcome address said that Academy has been organizing a befitting literary meet program on this towering personality of the State and will continue to do so in future.
Kavinder Gupta, in his address described Late Premi as a multi faced personality who spent his whole life in serving mankind as he was the follower of Gandhian philosophy with love for all and was a staunch secularist. He had enriched Kashmiri language and literature in particular. He will be remembered for all times to come. His life and teachings are inspiration for generations to come. He further said that Late Premi had dedicated his entire life to the Welfare of common people irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
Ajay Bharti also paid humble tributes to the Late poet and said that the left behind works of Late scholar should be published and the Government will fully support the family in this process. He said it is unfortunate that people who were champions of secular thought and ethos were not also spared by merchants of death who have brought Kashmir to path of destruction. Bharti however exuded confidence that with a strong resolve we will succeed in defeating their designs. He demanded that Devnagri be adopted as additional script for Kashmiri.
Pran Pandit 9retd ) SP in his paper shed light on the pioneering role of Premi during freedom struggle and also termed him a great scholar and a secularist.
Pyarae Hatash who readout a detailed paper in and threw light on life and teachings of Late Premi who had a great contribution in the Kashmiri ethos and history by translating Bhagvat Gita and Ramayana and also recalled his memories.
Dr R L Bhat a noted scholar while paying tributes to Premi said it is unfortunate that those who claim themselves the champions of Kashmiriyat did not spare Premi and advocate Prem Nath Bhat who were the real champions of Kashmiriyat.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Rajinder Premi elder son of Premi.
J.N.Sagar and Ashok Govhar red out their poetical tributes to Late .Premi.
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