WE THE PEOPLE
Unmoved by sufferings of large number of people, insensitive Shoppers flood markets and indulge in extravagances
Hence conscientious denizens urge them not to forget orphans, widows and handicapped during Eid-ul-Azha celebrations
By: M Shirjeel
Srinagar: The J&K State in general and Kashmir Valley in particular have witnessed unprecedented turmoil, which has left behind a trail of death and destruction. Those killed are survived by a large number of orphans, widows, handicapped and destitutes, who need care and maintenance. Their number has assumed an alarming dimension, but there is no effective mechanism available to sustain and rehabilitate them in such a manner so that they do not become liability for the society. No doubt, there are some philanthropic Organizations and Societies, which have been serving a number of such orphans and widows, but those are not financially so sound as to educate and rehabilitate the orphans fully and turn them to be good citizens tomorrow. This is a national tragedy and everyone living in the State must come forward to contribute his/her mite to accomplish this noble task. Hence, there is no room for extravagances, which are being observed on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha in the Valley today.
Can anyone deny the fact that Kashmir was not an abode of peace and tranquility? Can anyone refute the claim of the poets, who are on record to have described Kashmir as a terrestrial paradise? Its lush green meadows, snow-capped mountains, dense forests, beautiful cascades and virgin scenic spots have all along been source of great attraction for the world class tourists. This was the driving force to focus on Tourism and devise strategies to exploit its potential not only to improve State’s economy, but improve the lot of a large section of people, who are dependent on tourist trade.
It needs to be mentioned that the Valley is blessed with rich and huge hydel potential, but wrong policies of the past Governments did not help to exploit and enrich power sector so far. Had it been done, the State would not be only self-sufficient in power, but would be exporting it to other deficient States of India. Besides it would have revolutionized industrial sector and provided ample job opportunities to jobless youths of the State. The agricultural sector also has remained in the backyard due to their identical myopic policies. Not only this, even major paddy-growing areas stand converted either into orchards or human settlements. All this has happened in utter disregard and blatant violation of Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act. Not content with such a gross violation of law of the land, a large number of unscrupulous elements have remained engaged in usurping water-bodies, causing thereby ecological imbalance. All these factors can be attributed to insecurity scenario and above all to non-adherence to Islamic teachings.
“ With uprising in J&K State, we thought that it would lead to the final resolution of Kashmir problem which has been hanging fire since the partition of erstwhile India. But unfortunately some undesirable elements took advantage of the movement and indulged in nefarious activities. They robbed State forests, encroached upon water-bodies and resorted to open loot and in the process many innocents lost their lives. Such activities defamed the movement as the real ones lost their precious lives for a cause. Such people left a large number of widows, orphans and the handicapped and it was the duty for the civil society to come forward and take all steps to rehabilitate them. This has not happened and only a few conscientious citizens have formed orphanages to help the needy. The role of Skhawat Centre of Iqbal Memorial Trust is quite appreciable, as it has been working in this direction on a large scale. The Social Welfare Department of the State Government has been also doing a good job, but the dimension of the problem is of big size, which needs a sisyphean effort to meet the challenge,” said a group of conscientious persons of Kashmir Valley.
Therefore, it becomes obligatory on the part of all Kashmiris, especially the affluent sections of the society to rise to the occasion and help in the maintenance and rehabilitation of such a big needy section of the society. The situation is so grim that it leaves no room for extravagance and over-spending. We have to remain within the Islamic framework and fear Allah and the Doomsday. We must not forget that all our actions are accountable. Once we understand and realize it, we shall never indulge into extravagancies being witnessed on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha in the Valley today!
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