Governor N.N Vohra today reiterated that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are highly talented and given the enabling opportunities they can excel in all spheres of human endeavour.The Governor was addressing the 48th Peace Conference organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) at SKICC, here today.
Referring to the unfortunate situation that had obtained in the State in the past years, the Governor observed that besides enormous human and economic losses we have suffered irreparable damage to the educational system, with adverse effect on the careers of the youth. He observed that our youth have since come up in a big way and many of them are pursuing their education in reputed technical and professional institutions across the country and competing successfully for various career options. In this context, he referred to an increasing number of boys and girls from the State qualifying for the All India and Central Services year after year. He emphasized the need for equipping the youth of the State with required knowledge and skills in sync with the job market requirements to enable them to secure bright and better careers.
While stressing the need for making the Universities and other institutions of technical and higher learning in the State as centres of excellence, the Governor said that the school education also requires high attention as it is fundamental to our future growth.The Governor thanked Dr. M. M. Pallam Raju, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, who was Chief Guest on this occasion, for his visit to the State and the discussions he had held on issues relating to the growth of Higher Education in J&K.
The Governor, who presided over the Peace Conference, complimented Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, Chairman of the Foundation, members of his team and all the associated activists for taking the highly laudable initiative of organizing various functions for promoting communal harmony, peace and amity and wished them high success in their continuing endeavors.
The Governor and other dignitaries were honoured by the Foundation on this occasion by presenting to them mementos.
The Peace Conference commenced with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Governor.Dr. M. M. Pallam Raju, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, speaking on the occasion, dwelt on the various schemes being implemented for the growth of education sector in the country. He congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation for organizing the Peace Conference, adding that sustained peace is imperative for progress and prosperity.
Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz, Member of Parliament and President, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, observed that Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat and his colleagues have been doing a commendable work in the promotion of peace. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, said that Mr. Bhat has done a yeoman’s job in the establishment of J&K Peace Foundation. He observed that peace is a pre-requisite for progress and prosperity.
Prof. Abdul Wahid, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, said that peace and progress are interlinked. He added that all segments of society have a great role in the promotion of peace. Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, in his welcome address, thanked the Governor for his keen interest and patronage to the Foundation for carrying forward its endeavours for promotion of peace and amity in the State and felicitated him on behalf of the Foundation for his appointment for the second term. He also dwelt on the activities of the Foundation and its future Action Plan.
Mufti Bashir-ud-Din Farooqi, Mufti Azam Jammu and Kashmir, presented a Vote of Thanks.The Website of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation was also launched on this occasion.Rafiq Ahmad Shah, MLC; Mr. D. C. Singhania, Chancellor, Singhania University, Rajasthan; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; academicians, a large number of functionaries of the Foundation and students were present on this occasion.