State’s bright future lies in young buds: CM

Service to poor is service to God: Dr. Farooq

Rs. one crore for Women Welfare Centre

Laying stress on proper education and nurturing of children, Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah Saturday said that the bright future of the State lies in the hands of young buds. “We have to mould them into productive and capable persons so that they can shoulder the responsibilities with courage and confidence”, he said. Chief Minister was speaking after he and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah laid foundation of a Craft Centre and Dispensary at SOS Madr-e-Meherban Village, Gulab Bagh near here. “The best way to pay homage to Madr-e-Meherban is to provide best education to the students especially those belonging to poorer and marginalized sections”, Mr. Abdullah said and added that his grandmother Begum Akbar Jehan devoted her entire life for the upliftment of weaker sections. He said empowerment and welfare of women folk was her dearest goal in the life and she laid the foundation of Women Welfare Centre at Miskeenbagh, Srinagar to carry forward her mission in this direction. “Today the Centre has become an important unit of providing training to the thousands of women in various crafts besides undertaking lot of women centric social welfare and healthcare activities.”, he said. Mr. Abdullah appreciated Vice Chairman of the Women Welfare Centre, Miskeenbagh, Begum Suriya Ali for rendering selfless service for the upkeep, consolidation and expansion of the Centre to bring more and more needy under the ambit of women welfare scheme launched by the Madr-e-Meherban for the women of Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to the challenges confronting young generation today, Mr. Abdullah emphasized on moulding the younger generation to make them face the challenges bravely. “While book knowledge has its place in the curriculum, the knowledge of religion and moral values are must for a student to become a balanced personality”, he maintained. Chief Minister announced Rs. 50 lakh for the development of craft centre and dispensary at Madr-e-Meherban SOS Village, Gulab Bagh and asked the management to start the construction work at the earliest. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Farooq Abdullah also announced Rs. 25 lakh for this purpose. He said that Madr-e-Meherban has always remained the best friend of poor people and worked throughout her life for the upliftment of poorer sections, women and Gujjar and Bakerwal. He said Madr-e-Meherban was always stressing on women education and their empowerment. Dr. Abdullah appreciated the Women Welfare Centre, Miskeenbagh and its Vice President, Ms. Suriya Mattoo for carrying forward the mission of Madr-e-Meherban with spirit and zest. The mission, he said is aimed at empowerment and upliftment of women in the State. He said that the complex at Gulab Bagh should be constructed on fast track and the funds expended judiciously. “In helping the poor and working for their education, we are rendering best. Let us devote our endeavour sincerely to realize this goal”, he said and added that this is the path which will lead us towards heaven as services to poor is service to God. Dr. Farooq Abdullah on behalf of Parliament Member, Mr. Mohammad Shafi Uri, who was also present on the occasion, announced Rs. 25 lakh for the construction of dispensary and craft centre at SOS Madr-e-Meherban Village, Gulab Bagh. Earlier, Welcoming the guests, the Vice Chairman of the Women Welfare Centre, Miskeenbagh, Ms. Suriya Mattoo narrated the struggle of Madr-e-Meherban for the upliftment of welfare of poorer sections of the society especially women and children. She gave details of the activities of Women Welfare Centre and its expansion programme at the Gulab Bagh Complex. She placed on record her gratitude for the people of Gulab Bagh for donating the land for construction of SOS Village at Gulab Bagh. “We are working sincerely to carry forward the mission of Begum Sher-i-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah popularly known as Madr-e-Meherban for her deep love and affection for the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially for down trodden and deprived women and children”, she added. On the occasion, the students of the institution presented Natiya Kalam and read papers on the life and living of Madr-e-Meherban whose 9^th death anniversary is being observed throughout the State today. Earlier, Mr. Omar Abdullah and Dr. Farooq Abdullah visited the Mazar of Madr-e-Meherban at Hazratbal and offered Fatiha. They prayed for the Allah’s forgiveness to the departed soul and peace and prosperity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of people including Ministers, legislators, prominent citizens and others joined them in offering Fatiha at the Mazar of Madr-e-Meherban and Sher-i-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.