Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Distributes 12 truckloads of relief material
* Assures Kashmiris Punjab govt. will extend all possible help to J&K
Chandigarh/Srinagar, Punjabis, who have been the biggest contributors in the relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir following unprecedented floods in the State, achieved a new milestone today with SAD general secretary and Revenue minister Bikram Majithia launching a citizen initiative aimed at rushing essential items to the valley to equip the affected people for the harsh winter ahead.
Interacting with affected Kashmiris at the Shaheed Bunga Sahab gurdwara in Budgam here, Mr Majithia said “chief minister Parkash Singh Badal took the lead to rush emergency supplies to the State immediately after it was struck by floods by requesting the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to help in this noble cause. I have come here today to carry this initiative forward and I have involved the people of my constituency as well as traders and industrialists of Amritsar who have business links in J&K to rush ration, medicines, blankets, woolens and other essential items needed by the affected people before the onset of winter”.
The SAD general secretary handed over 12 trucks of relief material to Badgam gurdwara committee member Gurjit Singh Kingi for distribution among the affected people. A team of volunteers from Majithia and Amritsar district led by Major Shivcharan Singh Shivi is also camping in Budgam to ensure efficient distribution of the relief material.
Interacting with Kashmiris, Mr Majithia assured them that the Punjab government would also assist the J&K government and would coordinate with Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah for this purpose. Mr Majithia also talked to senior officials in the J&K CM’s secretariat as Mr Farooq Abdullah is in Delhi.
Kashmiri traders and small cottage industry owners also met the Revenue minister and apprised him that Punjab and J and K were not only linked by a bond of friendship as neighbours but that their economies were also inter linked due to close people to people business ties. They said effort being taken by the Punjab government, religious bodies as well as its people would contribute to the economic revival of Kashmir after the devastation caused by floods.
Mr Majithia meanwhile urged the people of Punjab to strengthen the citizen initiative launched by him. “Every person irrespective of his position can contribute in cash or kind to help our Kashmiri brethren in their hour of need”, he said.
The minister also visited the worst affected areas of the valley during his stay besides directing the volunteers from Majithia and Amritsar to apprise him of the relief actions on a daily basis. He also interacted with doctors and asked them to list the medicines needed by them besides meeting with local NGOs and social workers to inquire about the possible steps which could be taken to improve the situation. The people who met Mr Majithia told him they needed to hoard up ration including wheat and rice and also needed a large amount of woolens.
The Budgam gurdwara committee expressed its gratitude to Mr Majithia as well as the Punjab government for the help extended by it and presented a robe of honour (siropa) to the SAD general secretary. The relief material sent to Kashmir in 12 trucks includes drinking water, blankets, dress materials, shawls, medicines, torches, wheat, flour, rice pulses, biscuits and noodles. EOM
