JK News Today
KISHTWAR, NOV 09
Underscoring the importance of education in the socio-economic empowerment, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said Islam has laid ample stress on seeking knowledge, making it a compulsory obligation.
Addressing the annual day function of Islamia Faridia Educational & Research Institute here, the Chief Minister said education is a great leveler to bridge any social and economic gap in society and reminded the students how much stress Islam has laid on seeking knowledge.
Mehbooba Mufti reminded the students that Iqra (learn) was the first verse to have been revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and seeking knowledge was made Farz (compulsory) for every Muslim. Importance of education has been stressed in Islam time and again and preventing or disrupting education is a disservice to Islam, she said.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the charitable institutes like Auqafs and trusts in the State to emulate successful models like Islamia Faridia Trust, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Mata Vaishno Devi University etc. where the offerings and other donations were gainfully used to spread education, make colleges, universities and hospitals. This is the best use of these offerings and real tribute to these saints and deities, she said.
Felicitating people on the Urs of Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din (RA), the Chief Minister said development of the region has always remained close to her heart. She said she is fully aware of the problems and aspirations of the people of the area. She said immediately after taking over she had decided to undertake a detailed visit of the area to further assess the development needs but couldn’t due to the situation in Kashmir Valley.
Responding to the demands put forth, Mehbooba Mufti said there is a need to construct tunnels like Vailoo-Singhpora and on Mughal road. She said the bed strength of Kishtwar hospital would be increased from 100 beds to 200 and possibility of setting up a cancer hospital would also be explored. She said one nursing college has been started in the town and another college would also be set up soon.
The Chief Minister described Kishtwar as hub of generating hydel power and assured people that money under Corporate Social Responsibility of the companies operating in the area would be spent on the welfare of its people.
