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Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 16
Governor NN Vohra reminded Kashmir on the 71st Independence Day of how the Valley was missing out on opportunities to be a part of the tremendous progress that the country had made in all fields and was being reckoned among the top nations.
He exhorted people here to walk in lockstep to save their economy, trade, tourism and education to become an equal partner in this journey of progress. In a very subtle manner, he implied that the idea of India represented hope, a promising future and pushing the boundaries of progress, while militancy, shutdowns and stone-throwing form the doctrine of death and destruction.
Vohra unfurled the Tricolour at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday. The ceremony was attended among others by First Lady Usha Vohra and staff members of Raj Bhawan. The Governor and the First Lady greeted the assembled officers and staff of Raj Bhawan and distributed sweets to all present.
Vohra sketched a picture of the country’s progress but regretted that continuing disruptions owing to shutdowns adversely affected the tourism, transport, economy, trade and education.
He was particularly saddened by the fact that children were not able to visit schools and colleges due to strikes and other disruptions. He said, “It is unfortunate that parents, teachers and the civil society have so far not gathered the courage for protecting the education system and saving our youth from getting embroiled in the agendas of disruptive elements.”
The Governor said other states were forging ahead on the path of growth and development and J&K must not continue to lag behind. He appealed to all the mainstream political parties in the state to shed their differences and urgently join hands, forge an agreed approach and commence meaningful discussions with the leaders of all groups which propagate divergent beliefs.
He was confident that differences of varied nature could be resolved through dialogue and discussion as the past experience had shown it time and again.
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