JAMMU JUNE 27- Describing Shri Amarnathji Yatra a shinning symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos, National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana on Wednesday said the people of the State right from Lakhanpur to Pahalgam and Baltal have been eagerly waiting to greet them and embark on the pilgrimage for seeking spiritual bliss.
“We hope the pilgrims will leave for their homes after paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine at Kashmir Himalyas with pleasant memories of hospitality and affection of the people of Kahmir and Jammu”, Mr Rana said while talking to reporters at Bhagwati Nagar here early this morning.
Mr Rana, along with a delegation of National Conference leaders was present at the flag-off ceremony of the first batch of the pilgrims at Bhagwati Nagar camp here. He joined large number of people to see-off the pilgrims amid spiritual ambience and recital of Bhajans.
The Provincial President and the members of the delegation interacted with the pilgrims and welcomed them on behalf of the National Conference leadership and the cadre.
The Provincial President said that enroute the base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam elaborate arrangements were in place to facilitate and welcome the pilgrims. He said the enthusiasm among people is reflective of the spirit of inclusiveness and pluralistic ethos the state is known for across the world. He said the people have sustained and promoted this spirit during most testing times and exuded confidence that this ethos will always guide the generations.
Mr Rana described Shri Amarnathji Yatra a unique pilgrimage across the world, which is performed by one community and hugely facilitated by the other community. “There cannot be any better example of communal amity than this pilgrimage”, he maintained.
The Provincial President complimented the people engaged with conduct of the Yatra in terms of providing various facilities and said this has endeared them in rest of the country. He recalled how the pilgrims leave the State in general and the Valley in particular with accomplishment of their spiritual thirst and sense of gratitude for affection. He hoped the spirit of inclusiveness, togetherness and accommodation will be bequeathed to generations.
While performing the puja at the flag-off ceremony, Mr Rana and other National Conference leaders prayed for peace and tranquility in the state and well being of the people.
Prominent among those who comprised the delegation included State Secretaries Mr
Surjeet Singh Slathia and Mr Rattan Lal Gupta, besides Babu Ram Paul, Mr Brij Mohan Sharma, Mr Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Mr Jugal Mahajan, Mr Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Mr Surinder Singh Bunty, Mr Ashok Singh, Mr Vijay Lochan, Mr Chander Mohan Sharma, Mr Pardeep Bali, Mr Ravi Dogra, Mr Rakesh Singh, Mr Sandeep Singh, Mr Sanjay Gupta, Mr S. Sucha Singh, Charak and others.
Later, Mr Rana visited the Langars established at Panjgrian and Jagti in the Nagrota Assembly Constituency, the gateway to the holy pilgrimages of Shri Amarnathji and Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji. He complimented the voluntary organizations for establishing Langars, describing the effort as an example of camaraderie and brotherhood. He also appreciated the assistance being provided by the people of his constituency in smooth conduct of these yatras, saying this helps greatly in fostering brotherhood.
