Jammu Dec 9 (KNS): Democratic Azad Party Chief & Former Chief Minister J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad hailed the people of Jammu for composite culture and maintaining religious harmony & said that the credit for it goes to its educational institutions. “The religious harmony and the composite culture in Jammu is all because the educational institutions promote it. Schools and other educational institutes accept all faiths and believe in the rich and core diversity of India,” he said during an Annual Day cum Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav function of Lawrence Public school, Jammu at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium. Azad said that across the country Jammu is emerging as an epicentre of tolerance and brotherhood and that is eventually offering it rich economic benefits.
He said its rich cultural and religious diversity has become its identity now. “If you look at the students who are performing here in an annual day function, they hail from diverse communities, cultures and religions. And this is perfectly what our country is known for,” he added while pointing towards the group of students performing at an annual day function. He said time and again, Jammu is proving its core secular values. "I have seen Jammu as one of the most secular places. That is why I love this place and want to see it one among the top cities of our country.” Mr Azad said that the educational institutions in Jammu are the main source for cultivating and honing the talent for the country. It provided many stars in sports, entertainment etc. Besides, no one can forget the role of freedom fighters from this land. “They will continue to remain in our hearts with utmost respect and love”.
On the occasion, Cricketer Abdul Samad was award 'Ghulam Nabi Azad rolling trophy' by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad and said that Lawrence Public school is making all efforts to explore the talent of Jammu and Kashmir. He said in nation building the youth of UT must have its contribution and our institutions have a role in it. “When I was chief Minister, I made many efforts to ensure our youth get all the facilities to channelize their talent and energy. If we are in power again after elections, the youth will be my first priority,”. Among the others present are G M Saroori, RS Chib, Chowdhary Gharu Ram, S.P.Verma, Salman Nizami, eminent educationist L D Soni, Sohil Kazmi, Vickey Mahajan, Mahant Rajesh Bittoo, S Jaswinder Singh, Kuku Nri, Gaurav Chopra, Vishal Chopra, Ashwani Handa, Kirtan Singh, Anoop Khajuria, Narinder Sharma, Nirmal Singh and Dinesh Gupta from Red cross. Mr MM Joshi chairman Lawrence Public School and Manish Joshi, principal presented vote of thanks.(KNS)