Srinagar, Mar 02 (KNS): Ashok Bhan, a prominent Kashmiri leader and a lawyer has said that the Kashmir’s glory of a cradle of civilisation has been imperilled over the years and the people are victims of conflict of 1947 and the lingering aftermath of the armed insurgency that led to the displacement of the entire indigenous religious minority and the killing of innocent civilians by non-state actors.
Speaking at a function in Delhi-NCR, Bhan as per a statement issued to KNS said that the Kashmir Peace Lovers have actively established a great connect with Kashmiri youth across far flung areas of the Kashmiris by organising almost 60 cricket league matches and through other intra cultural activities.
He said that these activities promote dialogue and societal healing that contributes in emphasising the imperative of fostering peace, justice, and inclusivity in the region.
“The Kashmir Peace Lovers (KPL) group has been conducting cultural programmes, youth conferences and interactions highlighting the urgent need to end the sordid and brutal phase of societal devastation, death and destruction that has engulfed the entire South Asian region in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular to promote peace, harmony, justice, dignity and honour of the people and build an inclusive and empowered society.”
He said that the KPL has formulated a comprehensive reach out programme and shall be organising big events in Kashmir to forge a union of minds towards the ending of trust deficit between various sections.
“There is a dire need to revive glorious past.
For Kashmiri Pandits, acknowledging the past but seeking meaning in the present and actions for future can be a powerful way to navigate their collective experiences. This day can help the community to choose how they respond to their past positively and shape their collective attitude towards the future optimistically, where they grow as a community and continue to give their best irrespective of which place, region, country, profession, they serve.”
He said that yet they stay rooted together as a diaspora and continue expressing, and asserting a shared hope for return to their homeland. “The narrative must be created that instils a sense of unity, a collective vision for future and is also sloganized as, “In Unity We Thrive, In Return We Strive”.
“NEXT TIME SEE YOU IN KASHMIR”. Kashmir is the holy land of Science and innovation with Devine grace of spirituality through ages.”
He said that it is rightly described as the cradle of civilisation and Amir Khusro has aptly said if there is heaven on earth it’s here it’s here.
“It is no surprise that despite mass exile and genocide of Kashmiri Pandits the natives have channeled their anger, passion and energy into positive pursuits the initiatives of Kashmir Peace Lovers is one such initiative towards the direction of removing the trust deficit between various sections and work towards helping in revival of the glory of Kashmir to bring it to the pedestals of the cradle of civilisation.”
He added that it is admirable that KPL platform is engaged in transforming the youth towards the power of sports and culture and creation of a harmonious tapestry of shared values,inclusivity and societal well being.
He further said harnessing the potential of sports as a catalyst for positive change,the KPL aims to empower youth by providing access to sports programmes and foster physical well-being, teamwork, leadership and personality development.
Bhan said celebrating the rich tapestry of Indian-Kashmiri culture the KPL strives to nurturing and harnessing mutual community talent in culture.
“Kashmir deserves Kashmiri Pandits physically back in the soil to create a humongous and conducive ecosystem of nurturing newer talent in all walks of life and help in formulating a new inclusive, violence free, coexistence and tolerant Naya Kashmir,” he said. (KNS)