Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora, Thursday donated Rs 8.00 lakhs to J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for installation of LED hoardings at the shrine of noted Kashmiri saint - Sheikh Noor-ud-din. Locally known as Nund Rishi, the saint is also called Alamdar-e-Kashmir and Sheikh-ul-Alam.Giving details Secretary Academy, Dr. Aziz Hajini said that the money released by the minister out of his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will be spent on installation of a running scroll LED hoarding at the shrine of the famous saint at Charar-e-Sharief.“A patron saint of Kashmiris, Nund Rishi is highly revered by both Muslims and Hindus. By installing a hoarding with shlokas of Alamdar, the Academy intends to spread his message of peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood”, Hajini said.
Presenting a background to the initiative, Dr. Hajini said that during his lifetime, Nund Rishi witnessed various historical events that helped to shape his mind in such a manner that he produced some works of philosophy in his own manner of verses and poetry.“Sheikh ul-Alam was deeply affected by such events and this is apparent in a majority of his verses. And by way of public display of his philosophy efforts are being made to spread his message far and wide,” he said.Laying emphasis on the essence of message of the patron saint, the letter of the minister reads, “”Alamdar-e-Kashmir, Sheikhul Alam Noor ud Din Wali, a highly renowed saint, poet, philosopher and linguist, of the State is highly loved by the people of all religions for his message of love, peace, equality of mankind, and for his poetry which emphasise communal harmony”.“The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages will install the LED hoarding Board …that will depict the life, poetry and message of Sheikhul Alam Noor ud Din Wali,” the letter further reads. (KNS)