International Mother Tongue Day celebrated
V.P.: Speak in our mother tongue
“International Mother Language Day” was celebrated in India, along with the rest of the world, on February 21 last.
The main function in the country was jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry of Culture in New Delhi on February 20. Vice-President of Indiai M Venkaiah Naidu was the Chief Guest. Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”, Cultural Minister Prahlad Singh Patel and Minister of State for HRD Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre were Guests of Honour.
In his inaugural address Shri Naidu stressed that we all should speak in our mother tongue and work for its development. He added that a child can understand better any other language if he knows his mother tongue.
Language experts Shri MK Bhat “Nirdhan” Editor, Koshur Samachar, Dr.Balwant Shantilal Jani, Prof. Harmohinder Singh Bedi, Shri Chamu Krishna Shastri, Shri Darshan K Vaid, Prof. Bhim Kanta Baruah,Dr. V Biju Kumar, Dr. K Karunakaran, and Dr. Birhashi Giri Basumatary participated in the programme.
The active role and participation of Shri V Sripathi, Dr. Ramesh C Gaur, Prof. Parmeshwar Narayan Shastri, and Prof. Ramesh Kumar Pandey and others was commendable for making the programme a success.
BGCCRF celebrates Houra Ashtami
Houra Ashtami, which comes five days before Maha Shivratri, was celebrated during the night of 16th, 17th February, LAST ,at Jagatguru Bhagwaan Gopinathji Ashram, “Sidh Peeth” at Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, with devotion and reverence.
The function started with an offering of flowers at the lotus feet of Bhagwaan (Pushp Archana) by the President of the Foundation, Pt. Pran Nath Koul. This was followed by Sandhya Vandanai (evening Prayers). The devotees were served Naveed.
The programme started with the singing of bhajans in the praise of our beloved master Bhagwaanji.This was followed by bhajans of Shri Ganesh, Lord Shiva and Divine Mother throughout the night.
The programme concluded with Pratah Aradhana (Morning Prayers).
During the month of Maag, a daily Hawan was performed at the Ashram by Shri Ashwani Bazaz, Vice President of the Foundation along with other devotees. The propgramme concluded on Maag Purnamashi, also known as Kaawa Punym, with complete six Shahkars followed by Naveed (lunch). A large number of people participated in this function too.
These functions brought the Kashmiri Pandit community together and helped forge our ties with each other. May Bhagwaanji bless us always with his anagrah.
Reshivaer KP Sangathan, Mayur VIhar Phase-3 organizes Mahayagnya
Reshivaer KP Sangathan, Mayur Vihar Phase-3, Delhi performed its annual mahayagnya 2020 on 15th & 16th of February for a peace, good healths, prosperity and well being of KP community.
A large number of community members took the holly blessings and Prasad after purna aahuti. Reshivaer KP Sangathan is thankful to all community members from Delhi & NCR, who participated in the mahayagnya.
Paschim Vihar KPWA organizes annual mahayajnya
Kashmiri Pandit Welfare Association, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi, organized its 19th annual Mahayajnya at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Guru Harkishan Nagar, Paschim, Vihar, New Delhi, on February 16 last. Poorna Ahuti was performed and naivedya distributed on the following day, February 17.
A large number of Paschim Viihar residents and of other areas took part in the holy function. The Managing Committee of the Association is thankful to the participants of the “Mahayajnya”
Naqvi promises development for all in J & K
Union Minister for minority affairs, Mukthar Abbas Naqvi said on January 21 last that every student in Jammu and Kashmir applying for a scholarship will be given one this year as the government focuses on development in the region after bifurcating Jammu & Kashmir into two union territories and scrapping constitutional provisions that gave the state special status — measures aimed at ending the festering Kashmir problem and integrating the region better with India.
After the changes, effected in August, restrictions on communication and movement have been imposed across many parts of Kashmir Valley and several political leaders, detained. Naqvi’s visit was part of an outreach programme that involves visits by several central ministers to the state — to both assess the situation and to tell people what is being or can be done for them. Naqvi visited Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar, inaugurated a bridge, and met delegations of locals.
Naqvi arrived at Harwan and addressed a small group of people assembled there to receive him. A number of them flagged issues regarding the development of their respective areas with the minister. “Despite snow, the turnout of people at this place is testimony that people have passion to see development of this place,’’ Naqvi said.
Quoting a famous Persian couplet about Kashmir, Naqvi said it is heaven on earth, but previously afflicted by corruption. “Millions (of rupees) were sent for development of this place for various schemes. Unfortunately, that money was gobbled (up) by a few people... Even ruling governments have become hurdle in the development of the place. Time has come to strive and make Kashmir heaven again.’’
People of Kashmir have the first right on development in the region, he added. “Every single boy or girl who will apply for scholarship will be given one this time. Every place in Kashmir will have special schemes for skill development,” he explained
Under the Himayat scheme, Rs 16 crore was given to Jammu and Kashmir and 12,000 young people were trained, he added. “At Samba and Awantipore, All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are being set up. Five medical colleges have been established with around 500 seats. Now people need not travel to Delhi or other states for treatment.’’
The Central government will make every effort to ensure the benefits of various schemes reach the right people, the minister said. “In the history of J&K, its the first time that Union ministers in such a big number are meeting people.
JKVM organises Shivaratri Samoohik Milan
Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch organised its annual Maha Shivaratri Samoohik Milan, at the National Museum, New Delhi, on February 23 last. Shri O.P. Kohli, Ex-Governor of Maharashtra was the Chief Guest. Special guests were Shri Vivek Agnihotri and Smt. Pallavi Joshi, celebrities from Bollywood.
This year’s awardees were: “Pt. Tika Lal Taploo Memorial”: “KPs Helping hand (Mattan)”, “Pt. Krishna Joo Razdan Swarasati Puraskar” to Dr. Satish Vimal Ji, Pt. Krishna Joo Razdan Saraswati Puruskar” : Sh. M.K. Raina, “Yashaskar Samman” went to “Athrout”, a Sewa Bharti unit at Jagati Jammu.
“Shriya Bhatt” award was given to Sh. Moti Kaul.
“Lalitaditya Shauraya Puruskar” was awarded to Sh. Rajinder Kaul for his outstanding bravery while fighting terrorism in the valley.
Sh. O.P.Kohli, Sh. Vivek Agnihotri and Smt. Pallavi Joshi ji were felicitated on the occasion.
JKVM organised workshops on Kashmiri Speaking all across Delhi NCR. A group of eleven children was shortlisted for the final competition on Kashmiri speaking. This was sponsored by the family of “Sh. A.N. Kaul, Sahib” The winner in the senior category was “Shreya Bhat” and was awarded a cash price of Rs.6000.00 and the winner in the junior category was “Sanna Bhat” who won the cash prize of Rs.5000.00. The winners were also given a memorial collage of Late. Sh. A.N.Kaul, Sahib.
Late Smt. Bimla Kaul Memorial consolation cash prizes of Rs.1100.00 for Kashmiri speaking were given by Sh B.L.Kaul, Deep.
A painting competition among the young children was also organised with the theme Maha Shivratri. Three children each from junior and senior category were awarded by Late Smt. Posh Kuj Kaul memorial award with cash rewards of Rs.2000, Rs.1000 and Rs.500 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category respectively.
The programme culminated with the vote of Thanks by the General Secretary and the “Samoohik Shankh Naad”. Audience were given send off with Walnuts and Kashmiri rice wheat bread as Shivratri Prasad.