All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) today organized a press briefing on “ Re-opening of Sharda pilgrimage in POK and Setting up of Sharda University in J&K ”. Prominent speakers were Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Ata Hasnain, former military Secretary GOI, Awadhesh Kumar, Sr. Journalist, Sh. Utpal Koul eminent scholar/ publisher and Sh. Vinod Pandit, Chairman APMCC. Welcoming the panelists, APMCC threw light on the discrimination being meted out with Kashmiri Hindus in visiting Sharda in POK, while as locals are being allowed for trade and visit to POK on local permit. Sh. Ravinder Pandita Head of APMCC- Delhi, presented a brief history and importance of Sharda as basic seat of learning for Hindus , now in POK after partition. Speaking on the occasion, Lt. Gen Ata Hasnain threw light on the strategic importance of this pilgrimage and site as a common ground for the reconciliation of people across two sides of LOC. Sh. Awadhesh Kumar highlighted the role of media in reviving the pilgrimage and restoring the pristine glory of the shrine. Sh. Utpal Koul while throwing light on the history of Sharda pilgrimage said that Kashmir is also known as “Sharda desh” and underlined the need for setting up of Sharda University in the state of J&K. “ The only script Kashmir has produced is also known as Sharada script (Lipi)”. Sh. Vinod Pandit, chairman of APMCC, the organization hosting the briefing said that the glory of Sharda Mata shrine will be restored on the similar lines of Gangbal yatra in Kashmir. Mrs. Rukhsana Khan from Pakistan also addressed the briefing via video conferencing. She threw light on the preservation of Sharda temple that was visited by her in September , last year.
It may be recalled that APMCC is organizing annual Gangbal yatra for the last six years annually, the first to do so after the migration and exile of Kashmiri Hindus from the valley.APMCC is one of the frontline organizations of Kashmiri hindus working for the rehabilitation and reclamation of destroyed and abandoned temples throughout the valley and has come into prominence by organizing famous Kaunsar Nag Yatra, Porbander , Gujarat indefinite fast by its chairman, Jammu 10 day long fast, besides passing of Temple Bill in J&K.
