“Kashmir valley incomplete without pandits”: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 1 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said that the Kashmir Valley is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits, who have been, for centuries, an essential part of the unique civilisation, culture and tradition that Kashmir is known for all over the world.

Speaking after releasing the Vijeshwar Jantrie (Almanac) for Saptarishi Samvat 5100 at a solemn function, Jitendra Singh said “Kashmiri Pandit community has contributed to the enrichment of academics, literature and art beyond the shores of Jammu and Kashmir and even before independence, the then Princely States across the country, as far as the Princely States of Central India, engaged Kashmiri Pandit scholars in education and administration.”

He further pressed that after independence, the Kashmiri Pandit community contributed immensely to civil services, academics and the setting up of several important institutions of learning across the country.

“It is unfortunate that they had been displaced from their homes under most inhumane circumstances but the time has now come to involve them and facilitate their contribution in nation building as India marches ahead to achieve the goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Viksit Bharat,” Jitendra Singh said.

The function was organized by Dr Manmohan Jyotshi Research Foundation (a socio-religious & cultural organization) to mark the 242nd anniversary of the publication of Jantrie.

Professor Ashok Aima (Former Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu), Swami Kumar, Sushil Wattal (Religious Scholars), Kiran Wattal (Convenor, Vishva Kashmiri Samaj), Pintoo Ji Pandita (Chairman, Global Solace) were also present at the event.

Ashok Aima thanked Jitendra Singh for starting North India’s first ISRO Space teaching centre at Central University Jammu.