| VKS spreads Diwali cheer at Jagti Township, fostering community unity, well-being | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 13: The Jagti Mini Township, home to a significant population of internally displaced Kashmiri Pandits, experienced a joyous and community-centric Diwali celebration organized by Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj (VKS), a global civil society group representing Kashmiri Pandits. The event witnessed active participation from the community, with special contributions from esteemed guests, including Dr. Tej N Kaul from the Kashmir Overseas Association (KOA), USA.
VKS orchestrated a grand Diwali celebration, drawing a large number of community members, especially women and children, to partake in the festivities. The highlight of the event was the presence of Dr. Tej N Kaul, Program Director of the Educational Assistance Program at KOA, USA. Dr. Kaul, a founding member of a longstanding education scholarship initiative benefiting Kashmiri youth, shared a heartfelt address, expressing his wishes for overall happiness and peace within the community. He pledged support for community NGOs like Global Solace to establish skill development centers in Jagti, fostering youth reskilling and employment.
Kiran Watal, Convener of VKS, and Sh. Pintoo Ji, President of Global Solace Society, extended warm greetings to the community and welcomed Dr. T N Kaul. Dr. Kaul, in turn, commended the efforts of KOA President Dr. Archana Kakroo in expanding welfare programs and increasing scholarship amounts.
Film director Ashok Pandit and Sanjay Koul of Boston, USA, conveyed their heartfelt greetings to the community. Pandit assured the gathering that he would address the issues raised by the people, emphasizing his commitment to highlighting the problems faced by Kashmiri Pandits. Sanjay Koul, residing thousands of kilometers away in the USA, maintained his connection with the community, actively addressing the concerns of camp dwellers. Accompanied by his wife, Bela Koul, a notable social activist, Koul demonstrated his continued dedication to the well-being of the community.
Kiran Watal, highlighting VKS's ongoing initiatives, affirmed the group's commitment to supporting the people of Jagti in times of need. The event concluded with a collective prayer and puja, invoking blessings for wealth, worthiness, and happiness from Maha Lakshmi.
Several community members, including M. K. Yogi, RC Koul, M. M. Matto, Ashwani Bhat, T. K. Dhar, Kundan Lal Raina, Roshan Lal Koul, Ram Rattan, Bitu Bhat, Kuldeep Razdan, Piaray Lal, Moti Lal Padroo, Avtar Krishen, Urmila Kanth, Fency, Kiran, Ramesh Kumar, Sanjay, and Uttar Raina, actively participated and shared their thoughts during the celebration. |
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