SRINAGAR: President of India, Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said Kashmir is taking a new turn and a new era of progress, peace and prosperity has begun in the region.

She expressed confidence that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to march ahead together on the path of peace, progress and patriotism.

The President was addressing a civic reception hosted in her honour at Rajbhawan Srinagar. Murmu arrived on her first visit to the Valley on Wednesday after she became the country’s President.

At the civic reception, the President said that today's Kashmir is taking a new turn following its heritage.

“A new era of progress, peace and prosperity has begun. There has been a massive change in infrastructure development, e-governance, healthcare, housing, women empowerment, tribal outreach and inclusive development,” she said while expressing here happiness that till September this year, about 1.7 crore tourists have visited Jammu and Kashmir, which is a record.

The President said that the country is passing through Amrit Kaal and the people of Jammu and Kashmir are also moving forward with enthusiasm towards making India a developed nation by the year 2047.
She expressed confidence that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to march ahead together on the path of peace, progress and patriotism.

The President thanked the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the warm welcome on her first visit as the President of India.
She was happy to note the presence of eminent personalities of Jammu and Kashmir who have made their mark in different fields. She said that they have enhanced the reputation not only of this region but of the entire country.

The President said that Kashmir has been a major centre of art, culture and education since ancient times.

“About 2000 years ago, the 4th Buddhist Council was held in Kashmir. Scholars believe that about 1300 years ago, in Srinagar, Shankaracharya had composed Saundarya Lahari and Ananda Lahari to describe the glory of Shakti.,” she said. “The words of Lal Dyad and the advice of Sheikh Nooruddin are still showing the right path to humanity. Rulers like Zain-ul-Abidin promoted etiquette and spirituality. Abhinavagupta who made amazing contributions in both the fields of religion and literature, had explained a very good principle of literature in the 10th century which proves to be true for every aspect of life. He had said that ‘Shanta Rasa’ is the source of all ‘Rasas’.”
The President emphasised that we have to continuously strengthen Jammu and Kashmir's legacy of considering peace and tranquility as supreme.

Earlier in the day, the President attended the 20th convocation of Kashmir University. She also interacted with the members of local tribal groups and women Self Help Groups at Raj Bhavan, Srinagar. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu addressed the 20th Convocation of University of Kashmir, today.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the country is proud of the responsible youth of Kashmir. She urged students of University of Kashmir to actively participate in social service along with their studies. She said that by doing this, they could bring social change and set an example. She was happy to note that alumni have brought glory to this university by serving the country.

Referring to the motto of the University of Kashmir which means ‘let us move from darkness to light’, the President said that the more our youth move towards the light of education and towards the light of peace, the more our country will progress. She added that the society and country whose youth follow the path of development and discipline, move forward on the path of progress and prosperity.

The President was happy to note that 55 percent of students at Kashmir University are girls. She said that they present the picture of our country and its destiny. The women and girls are ready to play a bigger role in the leadership of the country. She expressed confidence that the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' 2023 would prove to be a revolutionary step towards women-led development in our country.

Speaking about sustainable development, the President said that the lessons of sustainable development are part of Kashmir's heritage. She cited a saying which means ‘there will be food only as long as there are forests’ and said that it is the responsibility of all of us to preserve this paradise on earth. She urged Kashmir University to be alert in preserving the Himalayan ecosystem. She was happy to note that work related to glaciology, biodiversity conservation and the Himalayan Ice-Core Laboratory is at different stages.

She expressed confidence that the university would work at a fast pace in all such areas. The President said that in the National Education Policy emphasis has been laid on Indian Knowledge Systems. If our youth are given good information about Indian Knowledge Systems, they will get many inspiring examples. The work done by an expert, Suyya, about 1200 years ago, to save the city of Srinagar from the flood of Jhelum can be termed as hydraulic engineering. She said that our country has priceless treasures in every field of knowledge and science. It is the responsibility of the academic world to find ways to re-use such organically grown knowledge systems in today's circumstances.

Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji for gracing the Convocation Ceremony of the University of Kashmir with her august presence.

In his address, the Lt Governor extended his felicitations to the graduating students and wished them success in their future endeavours.

“Convocation is a very important day in the academic calendar as well as in student's life. It is a stepping stone on the path of progress, both academic and professional with infinite opportunities to contribute to build a strong and 'Viksit Bharat',” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor congratulated the girl-students.“It is heartening to know that out of total students conferred with gold medals today, more than 66% are our daughters. Accomplishment of our daughters, their self-confidence, courage and the ability to create new records in education and various other fields is a matter of great pride for the entire Union Territory. It is a reflection of a brighter future for the nation and a step towards women-led development,” he said.

The Lt Governor encouraged the youth to look for new opportunities, take up new challenges and contribute to nation building.

"Learning should be lifelong. It will help in critical and analytical thinking in professional careers and enable the youth to steadily contribute to the ongoing social transformation of our fastest growing economy. In the coming decades, knowledge will be the main driver of economic growth," the Lt Governor said.

He impressed upon the higher educational institutions to strive to create a strong ecosystem for advanced research, innovation, new invention and suitably respond to the needs of society and industries.

We need to have a robust mechanism to serve the local communities and bring change in the life of the last man in the queue, he said.

The Lt Governor commended the University of Kashmir for living up to its motto of "Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya" - From Darkness to Light, and making significant contribution to nation’s knowledge economy, he said.

Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University presented the University report and highlighted the achievements of the University in diverse fields.

Justice Shri N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh; Sh Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor, SMC; Sh Aftab Malik, Chairman, DDC Srinagar; Vice Chancellors of various Universities; Heads of educational institutions; senior officers; faculty members and students attended the Convocation ceremony.(GNS)

SRINAGAR: Junaid Azim Mattu has announced to have tendered his resignation as President of Youth wing of Altaf Bukhari led Jammu Kashmir Apni Party. 

Taking to microblogging site Twitter, Mattu, as per GNS, wrote; "Have tendered my resignation as the Youth President of @Apnipartyonline." I thank Party President @AltafBukhari01 Sb for this responsibility and also extend gratitude to the @YouthJKAP team (sic)."

"With all humility at my command, I extend my full support to my successor and the party", the tweet reads further. (GNS)