Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 21: Highlighting the need for youth to take active part in developing political and educational structure of Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Tariq Hameed Karra alleged that successive Governments in State did a poor job of responding to the needs of its young citizens.
Addressing a ceremony at SKICC organised by Kashmir Youth Parliament, Mr Karra said, ‘We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the  future.’
‘The focus on youth, in terms of their engagement in the political arena, is a relatively new priority in Jammu and Kashmir but extremely timely, particularly in light of the fact that the successive Governments in the State did a poor job of responding to the needs of its young citizens,’ he  said.
Mr Karra said the concept of youth engagement is increasingly apparent in international and national agendas, marking a shift in thinking about young people as resources that benefits society as well as a key partner in  development.
‘Civic engagement in particular is increasingly recognised as a powerful, positive tool for re-engaging disenfranchised youth in society and in education systems, allowing them to build their capacities, make a swift transition to productive work and public life, and contribute to the development of their communities,’ the MP from Srinagar said.
As we move forward with meaningful and penetrative democracy, we have found a growing disaffection with the political process among young people, he said, adding their participation in socio-economic development, state building and governance is completely missing in our State.
Expressing concern over the low turnover of youth in elections, he said if the future of our democracy is left to such apathy, it makes no sense to fight for the development of its present.
Expressing concern over lack of efforts by politicians to improve the lives and life prospects of our youth, the leader he said, ‘Caught in a myriad of daily survival issues and short-term political strategies, there has been a complete lack of concern, articulated in a systematic policy form, about what we can do to improve the lives and life prospects of our youth. As such, it is imperative that we systematically plan and assist the youth in becoming active citizens in a renewed democracy.’
Asserting that PDP is putting forth its Youth Development Policy that seeks to address issues affecting the State’s young people, Mr Karra said, ‘We have outlined strategies that will provide them with equal opportunities to maximize their potential. The State’s youth must be now at the forefront of the change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for the State’s development and peace.”  (UNI)

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 21: Gearing up grass roots level functionaries for the ensuing Assembly elections, General Secretary Ali Mohamed Sagar today exuded confidence that National Conference will emerge as a major factor, braving all challenges and conspiracies being hatched by elements hoisted by vested interests to weaken Sher-e-Kashmir’s legacy.
“History stands testimony how National Conference has bounced back in the thick of challenges since its inception”, Mr Sagar said while addressing Ministers, legislators, former legislators besides district and block functionaries at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon.
He, however, cautioned against the machinations of enemies, who he said, had clubbed together and unleashed a malicious campaign against National Conference by utilizing all modes including the social media.  “With enemy touching such lowest depths, National Conference has to bounce back by maintaining its time tested political morality besides the strength of its policies and programmes”, he added.
Tracing the genesis of animosity towards National Conference by a particular  class of political opportunists in different guises from time to time, Mr Sagar said the bitterness actually emanates from the fact that  so-called political heavyweights have  all along found themselves politically dwarf even before the ordinary workers of the party. “Such has been the strength of Sher-e-Kashmir’s legacy that opponents had to take refuge under their mentors rather than establishing base in the state”, he added.
Urging grass roots functionaries to further intensify mass contact, the General Secretary said National Conference is the only party presence of which can be seen even in the remotest pockets of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Sagar enumerated anti-people tactics of political opportunists and said they virtually plunged the State into worst type of turmoil by perpetrating Amarnath land row agitation and hoisting unpleasant situation in 2010 that witnessed death of over hundred youngsters. He said National Conference, braving all these challenges, succeeded in maintaining peace and sustaining it against heavy odds.
Alongside steering the state to normalcy, Omar Abdullah led Government undertook a massive developmental efforts, revived tourism and implemented various welfare programmes to alleviate the lot of people in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, he said and referred to recent employee-friendly measures.
Speaking on the occasion, the Provincial President Devender Singh Rana exhorted the workers to plunge into electoral arena with vigour and confidence and generate awareness among the people about achievements of Omar led Government that have brought overall transformation in the developmental landscape of the state. “The achievements are splendid and the effort has been massive that has brought turnaround in the overall situation and put the State on developmental path in a big way, he added.
Mr Rana hailed the political sagacity of the party leadership Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in meeting challenges from time to time and hoped that this spirit will enable National Conference cadre to work with renewed vigour in the ensuing elections. He assured that the provincial unit will strive tirelessly for steering the party to victory.
The district presidents of National Conference presented their view point on the occasion and suggested ways and means for further strengthening the party at various levels.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 21: Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir today inaugurated Kashmir Summer Tourism Festival-2014 at Kashmir Haat, here.
Besides recreation facilities, various Government Departments have set up stalls showing handicrafts, handloom products besides art and culture of the Valley for attraction of tourists at Kashmir Haat.
The 9-day long festival has been organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with Handicrafts and its allied Departments.
During the festival  different tourist related activities will be carried out at various tourism spots with focus to highlight adventure, golf, river and eco-tourism, besides art and culture of the Valley.
Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Zafar Ahmad Bhat, Director, Tourism Kashmir, Talat Parvez, Director Handicrafts, Tariq Ahmad Ganai, senior officers of line departments and representatives of tourism related associations, besides tourists and locals were present on the occasion.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the Minister said that Kashmir Festival was organized after a long gap with the aim to bring back the tourism sector on the “revival path”.         He hoped that the festival would be a big success for tourism boom as the weather condition in the Valley is pleasant as compared to the rising temperatures elsewhere.
“Due to the vastly improved situation, Kashmir has experienced a huge increase in tourists influx visiting the state and it is expected that there will be a more increase this  year”, he said and added that heavy rush in the summer is anticipated and almost all the inventory of hotels are booked for the period. The tourists visiting Kashmir during the festival will be able to experience the local culture and traditions by witnessing the events conducted during the events.
The Minister went around different stalls set up by Departments of Tourism, Handicrafts, Agro Industries, ISM, Agriculture, Horticulture, Handicrafts and Agro-Industries and appreciated the efforts of the stall holders and providing all things at one platform to the tourists during festival days.
Financial Commissioner Industries and Commerce, in his address said that Kashmir is distinct in tourism potential and the Government is making all out efforts to promote tourism industry in the State. He gave detailed resume of the innovative steps taken by the Government for promotion of world fame handicrafts products in the valley. He said new show rooms would be opened in more cities of the country to give better marketing facilities to the artisans.
Apart from Srinagar, events like paragliding at Asthanmarg Dara, Rock climbing at Nowgam, Kids festival at Zaberwan Kashmiri idol at SKICC was also organized on the first day of the festival.