Srinagar, July 11:(KNS) Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party President, Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Mr. Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited Qaid Mazar at Hazratbal Srinagar on the 20th annual death anniversary of Madar-e-Maharban Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah and offered floral tributes and Fatiha at her last resting place.
On the occasion they also offered floral tributes and Fatiha at the final resting place of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. Party’s Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal was also present. Owing to COVID19 health advisories and protocol, the party had decided not to have any big congregation usually held in connection with the annual death anniversary observance of Madr-e-Meharbaan at the Qaid Mazar.
In his message on the annual death anniversary observance of Madr-e-Meharbaan, Party President said that her contribution in the field of children’s education, women emancipation and tribal welfare is unparalleled till this day. “An affectionate mother, she was a constant pillar of strength for the entire family, particularly when our father faced penitentiary and confinement. Her persona was much influenced by the teachings of the holy Quran and life and works of Sufis. Politics for her was a medium to serve people; her brand of politics was shorn of regional and religious prejudices. She purposefully held that the idea of progress is senseless unless humanity is liberated from the shackles of poverty and that medium of democracy was the effective weapon to achieve that end. She strived for what she believed in. She was indeed a paragon of service, sacrifice, valor and piety. There is a lot which the younger generation can imbibe from her life and struggle.”
Madar-e-Meharbaan lent all support to Sher-e-Kashmir in the gigantic task of reviving Kashmiri selfhood, and identity in an environment that even sought to muzzle the minutest expression of dissent. She walked shoulder to shoulder with other party stalwarts out of her own volition and chose a path strewn with thorns. She stood by Sher-e-Kashmir in his arduous undertaking of rising Kashmiris from the deep slumber and timidity. She took part and contributed a lot in her own way in Sher-e-Kashmir’s cry for political enfranchisement, and socio-economic empowerment of Kashmiris. “I pay my humble tributes to her on her 20th death anniversary and pray to the Almighty to grant her the highest stations in Jannah,” Dr Farooq Said.
Party vice President while paying rich tributes to Madr-e-Meharbaan said that she was always concerned about the welfare of people. “She held that people are the real fountain head of power in any working democracy and that it was the prime duty of the political class in their capacity as the servants of people to ensure their all round development and progress,” he said. While extolling her contribution towards the welfare of children, women and tribals, he said the establishment of Gujjar & Bakkarwal advisory board, mobile schools and dispensaries for the tribals, strengthening Red Cross society and establishment of Miskeen Bagh education and crafts training center for women speaks volumes about her vision. He said Madar-e-Meharbaan environed a society bereft of poverty, a childhood shorn of illiteracy and malnutrition.
Later Party’s senior leader and Member of Parliament from Baraulla Muhammad Akbar Lone, Provincial Vice President Muhammad Syed Akhoon District president Srinagar Peer Afaq Ahmed; Provincial President Women’s wing Er. Sabiya Qadri, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Ghulam Rasool Sofi, GN Tailbali, Saleem Akhoon also visited the graveyard to offer their floral tributes and Fatiha at the final resting place of Madr-e-Meharbaan.
Meanwhile the party's parent body, YNC, and women’s wing functionaries paid glowing tributes to Madar-e-Meharbaan. Party’s Kargil, Pir Panchal and Chenab valley units also paid rich tributes to Madr-e-Meharbaan. A commemorative function was also held at party headquarters Sher-e-Kashmir Bawan in Jammu, where functionaries paid rich tributes to her and recalled her contribution towards the socio-political emancipation of people especially children, women and tribals.(KNS)