| Azad Calls for Calm | | Expresses Gratitude to PM, Sonia | | AGENCIES
New Delhi, Aug 11 : Expressing deep anguish over Kishtwar incidents, Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has appealed the people of J&K to maintain calm and peace and not fall prey to the machinations of divisive elements. He said that whatever has happened is heart-rending and deeply agonizing but there is no way to come out of this morass, except by once again charting on the course of peace and harmony.
Exhorting people to recall their age old traditions of amity and brotherhood, Azad maintained that to defeat the nefarious designs of disruptive forces, people should once again demonstrate exemplary brotherhood and unity. Asking the people of Kishtwar to take cue from their past, when their forefathers remain unaffected by frenzy and hysteria of 1947,he called upon the wiser and enlightened gentry not to get carried away by the pernicious designs of vested interests.
"As people of various religions will live together in the State, like they have been living since hundreds of years, it is of utmost importance to maintain harmony and peaceful co-existence", Azad said, adding that destruction and violence is not going to lead us anywhere, except inflicting lasting injury to the psyche of the people. Azad also expressed gratitude to PM, Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for their intervention in making available Central Forces at the nick of the time yesterday night when things had started drifting out of hands and tension had gripped other parts of the state. Highlighting the pitfalls of communal disharmony and social discord, Azad maintained that forces inimical to the unity and integrity of India, always on a prowl to exploit any possible situation, can use such occasions to further their agenda of destabilizing our country.
He also cautioned the people that after countless sacrifices of the armed forces as well as citizens, and with the persistent efforts of Govt, we have been able to contain militancy and put state back on the path of development and progress.
"Having suffered so much on this count, it will not be wise and prudent to fritter away the gains that have been achieved so far.
Instead now it is the time to focus all our energies on rebuilding of infrastructure and reconstruction of the State", said Azad.
. "Need of the hour is to catch up with rest of the world and create a future for our youth which is full of promise and hope rather than besmirched with gloom and regression", added Azad. |
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