Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 11: Senior National Conference leaders today sought massive mandate for the party in 2014 elections to transform Jammu and Kashmir as per the dreams of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and Madr-e- Meharban, Begum Akbar Jahan.
“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already laid a solid foundation for transforming the developmental landscape of the State by dint of hard work and a sense of commitment”, additional general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal and provincial president Devender Singh Rana said while paying tributes to Madr-e-Meharban on her 13th death anniversary at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here today.
“The confidence and element of dedication with which Omar Abdullah is serving his people, there is no reason why National Conference will not emerge as a strong party in the ensuing elections”, they maintained.
A large number of people, especially women participated in the function where Dr Kamaal and Mr Rana and Bimla Luthra (MLA), led the party leaders and workers in paying floral tributes to Madr-e-Meharban.
Dr Kamaal said a strong and stable National Conference was guarantee to satiate political, economic and developmental aspirations of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, the agenda which has already been set in motion by the grandson of visionary leaders.
Dr Mustafa recalled the contribution of Madr-e-Meharban in upliftment of people, especially women and weaker sections of the society and said that her role in female literacy, empowerment of women, welfare of Gujjar, Bakerwals, SC/ST communities will be remembered for all times to come. He also referred to the role played by his mother in generating political awakening at a crucial time when Sher-e-Kashmir was in prison. “She kept the movement of massive alive and worked tirelessly for mitigating the sufferings of suppressed people of the State”, he said, adding that Madr-e-Meharban was an embodiment of sacrifice who shared the pain and agony of the masses.
Paying tributes, Mr Rana said that people of Jammu and Kashmir will always remain indebted to Madr-e-Meharban for keeping the great mission of Sher-e-Kashmir alive during his lone spell of imprisonment. “Whenever historians will write on Sher-e-Kashmir, they cannot afford to ignore Madr-e-Meharban, as the persona of the tallest among the towering leaders of the time was incomplete without this great lady”, he said.
“Madr-e-Meharban stood like a rock against the conspirators of National Conference and infused a new vigour to the movement launched by Sher-e-Kashmir to seek a dignified life for the people, irrespective of caste, creed, region or religion”, he said while asking the party cadre to introspect where they have faltered in carrying forward their mission. He said the best tribute to Madr-e-Meharban will be to strive for a strong, united, vibrant, peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
Those who were present on the occasion included provincial secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, senior party leaders Babu Ram Paul, Th. Kashmir Singh, Satpal Lakhotra, Gurdeep Singh Sassan, Jugal Mahajan, Mohinder Gupta, Taranjit Singh Tony, Tanvir Ahmad Kitchloo, Bhushan Lal Bhat, Chander Mohan Sharma, Dr. Kamal Arora, Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Surinder Singh Bunty, Ch. Haroon, Som Nath Khajuria, Smt. Veena Oberoi, Rashida Begum, Dilshad Begum, Rita Gupta, Satwant Kaur Dogra, Rekha Manhas, Suman, Zarina Begum and others.
Meanwhile, connection with death anniversary of Madr-e- Meharban Begum Akbar Jahan function was organized at SOS Home Channi Rama, Jammu. Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Chairman CWS & Senior leader of National Conference presided over.
Later, free stationery items were distributed to children and lunch was also served.
New Millennium National College of Education, Sarore (Jammu) organized a programme to pay tributes to Begum Abdullah on her 13th Death Anniversary. Ram Paul, Former Minister was also present on the occasion.
Mr Paul along with the principal of the college, Puja Gupta, members of the college management committee and staff members garlanded the portrait of Madr-e-Meharban and paid rich tribute.
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