Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: The year -long centenary celebrations of Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS) started here today with a big bang. During the inaugural function which was held here in the Sabha premises this afternoon, former DGP and Chief Vigilance Commissioner designate, Kuldeep Khoda was the chief guest while Dr Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani a well known scholar also graced the occasion.
The function was attended by a large number of people including the prominent members of the community.
In his address Kuldeep Khoda lauded the role of KP Sabha saying the Sabha has a great history in preserving social and cultural values of the community and strengthening the inter community bonds.
In his inaugural address K K Khosa president of the Sabha threw light on the role of Sabha in last 99 years. He said the Sabha was established on this day in 1914 and highlighted the role of the Maharaja Pratap Singh in its establishment.
He also lauded the role of the great KP personalities who adorned the Sabha like Pt. Ram Chand Kak, then Prime Minister of the State, Shiv Narayan Fotedar, former chairman Legislative Council, Justice J L Kilm, Rai Bhadur Saproo, A N Purbi, Justice Janki Nath Bhat, Pt. T N Khosa, Pt. J N Bhat, Prof A N Sadhu, Dr Koushalya Wali and T N Peshin.
Several programmes will be organized during the centenary celebrations which included painting competitions, debates seminars and preservance of the cultural heritage.
He also highlighted the role of Sabha in providing relief and temporary shelter to uprooted members of KP community from Valley after the mass exodus of the community in 1989-90.
In his key note address Dr Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani threw light on the Kashmiri Pandit cultural history and quoted the history to give a glimpse of the sufferings which the community faced and how it emerged out of it and touched new horizons of excellence.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ashok Kumar Braroo, senior vice president of the Sabha while the programme was compared by Pardeep Koul.
Kailash Mehra Sadhu Kashmiri Melody queen mesmerized the audience by her Kashmiri and Hindi songs while the students of Abhay Public School Muthi presented a marvelous performance of Saraswati Vandana.
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