 Early Time Report
Jammu, Nov 17: In a heartfelt tribute to veteran Congress leader Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma, former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah announced that a suitable location will be identified to install a statue in his honor, acknowledging his immense contributions to the politics and development of Jammu and Kashmir. The announcement was made during a commemoration event for the late leader's birth anniversary, held at Eden Gardens Hall. Dr. Abdullah, paying rich tributes to Pandit Sharma, praised his leadership qualities, compassion, and dedication to public service. He recalled an incident that reflected Sharma’s extraordinary ability to connect with people. Dr. Abdullah shared a story where Sharma intervened in a seemingly trivial matter of villagers' buffaloes straying across the border, going to the extent of arranging a phone call to then-Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. While the call never connected, the buffaloes returned, and the villagers attributed their safe return to Sharma’s “intervention,” underscoring his unique leadership style.
Sharma, who had a distinguished six-decade-long political career, served in multiple key roles, including Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, and Health Minister. His legacy, marked by his unwavering commitment to the welfare of all sections of society, continues to inspire generations. Tariq Hameed Karra, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), also paid tribute to Pandit Sharma, describing him as a “people's man” whose leadership transcended caste, creed, and religion.
He emphasized Sharma's lifelong dedication to public service and his efforts to bridge divides within society. Senior leaders from both Congress and National Conference, including Raman Bhalla, Ch. Lal Singh, and others, also attended the event and lauded Sharma’s contributions to the region's development. The gathering highlighted his role in shaping the socio-political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, including efforts to establish separate department directorates for Jammu.
Pandit Sharma’s son, Rajnish Sharma (Mian), thanked Dr. Farooq Abdullah for his promise to install the statue and expressed his gratitude to the speakers for their participation in honoring his father’s legacy.
The event was attended by a large number of family members of Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma, Congress and NC leaders, and representatives of various social organizations.
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