Underscoring the importance of education in the socio-economic empowerment, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said Islam has laid ample stress on seeking knowledge, making it a compulsory obligation.Addressing the annual day function of Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute here, the Chief Minister said education is a great leveler to bridge any social and economic gap in society and reminded the students how much stress Islam has laid on seeking knowledge.Mehbooba Mufti reminded the students that Iqra (learn) was the first verse to have been revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and seeking knowledge was made Farz (compulsory) for every Muslim. Importance of education has been stressed in Islam time and again and preventing or disrupting education is a disservice to Islam, she said.The Chief Minister complimented the Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute for its efforts in spreading education in Chenab valley region during 111 years of its existence since 1905. She announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for the school for its further development and infrastructure upgradation while assuring all possible help to the institute.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the charitable institutes like Auqafs and trusts in the State to emulate successful models like Islamia Faridia Trust, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Mata Vaishno Devi University etc. where the offerings and other donations were gainfully used to spread education, make colleges, universities and hospitals. This is the best use of these offerings and real tribute to these saints and deities, she said.Felicitating people on the Urs of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA), the Chief Minister said development of the region has always remained close to her heart. She said she is fully aware of the problems and aspirations of the people of the area. She said immediately after taking over she had decided to undertake a detailed visit of the area to further assess the development needs but couldn’t due to the situation in Kashmir Valley.Responding to the demands put forth, Mehbooba Mufti said there is a need to construct tunnels like Vailoo-Singhpora and on Mughal road. She said the bed strength of Kishtwar hospital would be increased from 100 beds to 200 and possibility of setting up a cancer hospital would also be explored. She said one nursing college has been started in the town and another college would also be set up soon.The Chief Minister described Kishtwar as hub of generating hydel power and assured people that money under Corporate Social Responsibility of the companies operating in the area would be spent on the welfare of its people.
Earlier on her arrival, the Chief Minister was given a warm reception by the students of the institute. She was taken by a contingent of students of the institute to the podium.The Chief Minister, on the occasion, distributed Faridia Gold medals among the dedicated teachers of the institute.Minister of State for Hajj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Andrabi in his address also appreciated the contribution of the school in the spread of education in the area and hoped one day the institute would become a good university in the region. He said the nursing college started by Wakf Council has started admissions and efforts would be made to upgrade its infrastructure.MLC, Firdous Tak also addressed the gathering and thanked the Chief Minister for starting a nursing college in the town. He said it was the dream of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to see Kishtwar develop as any other modern town of the State.MLA, G M Saroori, members of the management of the Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, G N Balwan and other officers of district administration were present on the occasion.