Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Department of Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi underlined the need to preserve and promote social and religious values to help evolve an inclusive socio-cultural milieu.
“Our society has evolved by imbibing the values taught and preached by the great saints facilitating a harmonious life” the Minister said.
The Minister was speaking at the foundation day function of Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra- a KP organization working for the promotion and preservation of rich heritage and culture of Kashmiri Pandit community.
Priya Sethi hailed the Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra for preserving the Kashmiri ethos and culture. She assured the Kendra of all possible support from the state government in taking forward its mission. She said the government is committed to extend every support to help the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community to preserve its rich heritage and culture.
Responding to the demands raised by the community leaders, the Minister assured to convey their concern to the centre about the preservation and protection of Sharda Peeth in PoK and allowing the community members to take up pilgrimage to the historic religious place on the lines of Sikh pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib in Lahore, Pakistan.
“The matter will be raised at appropriate level about starting pilgrimage from J&K to the Sharda Peeth, the basic seat of learning of Hindus, now in Pakistan” she assured.
The Kendra celebrates its foundation day on Sharda-Ashtami. A Mahayagna was also organized to mark the occasion.
Later, Kashmiri Medical Emergency and Charitable Trust (KME& CT) was bestowed with the prestigious ‘Sharda Award’ for continued service to the displaced Kashmiri Hindu Society. The award was received by Sunil K Thussu Vice Chairman, KME&CT along with the board of trustees.
A book titled “Shiva-Sutra” (Divine Vision of Acharya Vasugupta) edited by Dr C L Raina was also released on the occasion. Dr. M. K. Bharat reviewed the contents of the book to the audience.
A presentation on the history and importance of Sharda as a revered pilgrimage centre and universal institution of learning and knowledge was also delivered by the content generation team of the Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra.
