Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal SinghThursday termed J&K as an abode of mutual co-existence, a virtue which has been handed down to us from centuries. He said State is known world over for its plurality, tolerance and respect towards other faiths and communities.
The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking after attending an annual Bhandara at Jal Vir, Varun Devta at Ludera, Ujh Bridge, Billawar in Kathua district in which more than 50,000 people from all communities and sections of society participated. The annual Bhandara is a symbol of brotherhood and unity in the area and the place of worship was established way back in the earlier part of the 20th Century.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that our country is known for its inclusive nature and the same has been ratified by the people since times immemorial. He said it is a recorded fact that India has been the abode of different faiths and schools of thought which have grown together side by side each enriching the other. “We have to carry forward the idea of India which is based on inclusiveness and tolerance enshrined in our religious texts”, he added.
Dr. Singh while referring to the recent initiatives undertaken by the Government said that these are historical in nature and people of all the three regions would get benefitted from these programmes undertaken in various sectors. He said the package announced by the Prime Minister is a comprehensive one and would go a long way in accelerating development scenario of the State.
The Deputy Chief Minister also visited the Mela ground and interacted with the locals, assuring them that all their problems would be redressed in time bound manner. He also directed the administration to prepare a comprehensive plan so that the annual Mela can also be put under the ambit of heritage and religious tourism.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister reviewed the developmental works being undertaken in the Billawar Municipal Committee and directed the officers for ensuring timely completion of the works. He also reviewed the pace of work on the rest house Billawar which is being renovated along with an additional block at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.7 crore.
Dr. Singh also interacted with the members of the civil society and prominent personalities of the area. He asked them to actively participate in various developmental initiatives being undertaken by the government by way monitoring the works on ground and giving effective feedback.
