Upliftment of downtrodden my apolitical Endeavour: Omar

‘I am your voice, will champion your cause’**‘Ensure education to your kids, reap benefits of reservation’

5 Dariya News (Tariq Bhat)

Jammu 14-Apr-2013

Saying that he is the voice of weaker sections of the society and champion of their cause, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday said that he will continue to carry forward the legacy of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to work earnestly, sincerely and apolitically for inclusive and equitable growth and development of downtrodden.Omar Abdullah said that his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and father Dr. Farooq Abdullah initiated historic initiatives to empower weaker sections and improve their status in the society. “I will continue to carry forward this mission which is governed by high principals of humanism and sincere service to poor people. Doing politics on human issues and programmes of upliftment of poor has never been my family’s, my party’s or my trait”, he said and added that every effort will be made to ensure

inclusive and comprehensive development of weaker sections of the society in the State.“You need not to raise voice for your rights because I am here as your voice and protector of your rights. I will continue to be champion and advocate of your cause”, he assured them and said that he will work tirelessly for the upliftment of weaker sections of the society without any political consideration.

The Chief Minister said this while addressing a large gathering of people belonging to weaker sections at a function organized by National Conference Schedule Caste and Backward Classes Cell here today in connection with the celebration of birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.The Chief Minister said that unless children belonging to weaker sections receive proper education and complete it logically, the benefits of reservation could not accrue to them holistically. “You have to ensure proper and complete education of your children so that you reap benefits of reservation amply”, he emphasized.“My efforts to give fillip to your socio-economic status and ensure reservation benefits to you will only succeed when you concentrate on educating your children and making them complete their studies without any break”, he reiterated and told them to fight for their rights in unity and in one voice. He asked them not to get astray by hollow slogans and resist the attempts by forces who want to pide them for vote bank politics and vested interests.Omar Abdullah referred to the historic land reform measures taken by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah where under poor peasants were made owners of agriculture land without paying a penny. He said creation of classless society where every citizen will have equal opportunity of growth, and status is determined by the actions of the inpiduals and not on the consideration of creed, caste, colour, region or religion has remained the bedrock of policy of National Conference since its inception. He said, he will continue to nurture this policy founded by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and groomed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah.