Jammu, June 24: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devender Singh Rana Monday stated that everyone would have to contribute to facilitate a resurgent J&K’s march towards peace and prosperity.
“At all costs, peace has to be sustained and we all must contribute to ensure that Kashmir becomes a peaceful heaven in its pristine glory,” he said.
Rana was addressing the illustrious gathering on the occasion of release of “Sang-e-Tameer” – a short-film presented by JK News Today – one of the leading digital platforms of J&K – helmed by veteran journalist-couple Dr Arun Joshi and Binoo Joshi.
This was the second short-film presented by this digital platform. Earlier on December 12, 2022, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had released “Ehad-e-Kashmir” – a short docu-drama produced by JK News Today.
Short film “Sang-e-Tameer” depicted the transformation of Kashmir, its youth from days of unrest, violence to resurgence, peace and “stone” acted as a protagonist.
“This is the second good production from JK News Today after its earlier thought-provoking presentation ‘Ehad-e-Kashmir.’ I congratulate all the individuals behind this notable production. But what has impressed me the most is that a stone, in this movie, has been made “an epic of change in Kashmir.” It has been beautifully done. Kashmir is in a transformative mode – it is changing, peaceful and resurgent. It is back on the path of growth with a resurgent society, which is looking forward,” Rana said.
“Kashmir has always been a repository of great culture, heritage and a centre of the religious spring, not only for Jammu and Kashmir, but the entire sub-continent. It has been a spiritual, cultural, intellectual hub for the world. Now it is in revival mode as Kashmiris want peace,” he added.
Rana stated that abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 paved the way for restoration of peace in J&K. “None wants his or her child to die. In 2010, 110 bodies were there on the streets with hearts of their mothers bleeding. Those tragedies were there but the changing J&K won’t witness it. Transformation was also delineated by stones, which used to be carved as burial stones for the youngsters who died on the path of violence unleashed by an enemy, who was not interested in the welfare of people of Kashmir. The enemy (Pakistan) did so for its abstract dream which distracted many but none could achieve it. Reason being, it was an unachievable dream. Dreams were sold to youngsters, they were emotionally blackmailed. People lost their livelihood, lost everything,” he said.
The BJP leader said, “Kashmir has always been a home of secularism, co-existence, brotherhood and harmony. But the ethnic cleansing forced by Pakistan, and not by Kashmiri Muslims, who are intrinsically secular, brought destruction here. Destruction was brought by outsiders – the terrorists and the terrorism has no religion.”
“So for all of us, the duty and task picked up by the Government of India is to restore peace and maintain it. There may be some difficult moments for a few people but then peace and normalcy are more important. There are people, who even today find fault with the peace and talk about many other things. But they will have to remember that a life saved, peaceful street, Lal Chowk humming with activities and resurgent Kashmir are more important than those few people who have their ideas misplaced to be free to unleash an era of terrorism and bloodshed. No Kashmiri must die – that should be our objective. At all costs, peace has to be sustained and we all must contribute to ensure that Kashmir becomes a peaceful heaven in its pristine glory,” Rana said.
Describing Joshi family as his extended family, Rana said that it was always a privilege for him to be with them, sharing moments on all important occasions. “It was a matter of delight that JK News Today is one of the leading digital platforms of J&K. I would be shy to call Dr Arun Joshi as the father of journalism as that would be a cliché – he is a young-man with the grey-hair. But he has greyed his hair on the streets of Jammu and Kashmir. He very well understands socio-political dynamics; nerve and pulse of J&K and its intricacies,” Rana said.
Describing Binoo Joshi as “an iconic person in her own-self” besides a journalist par excellence, senior BJP leader recalled that he became aware of her dynamic managerial and organisational skills, when he was just 21 and they had organised a car rally during his days in Engineering college.
Lauding the vibrancy of Dr Harshdeep, who ably conducted the proceedings of the event, Rana stated, “Besides being a good doctor, she is a good tarot (card) reader as well.”
Dr Arun Joshi stated that this short-film was in the tradition of JK News Today to depict truth in its pristine form.
Joshi also extended gratitude to Gunjan Rana for making the release function really vibrant. “She (Gunjan Rana) is a guiding light and the most disciplined person around in the town. She is an inspiration to the man who inspires others and that is Devender Rana,” Joshi said.
Referring to Devender Rana’s contribution in his (Joshi’s) enviable journey as a journalist and his evolution as a force to reckon with – in journalism, he recalled, “Devender Rana provided me with a lot of opportunities to interview high-profile people. Thereafter I also interviewed him a number of times. But the first step always holds special significance. So I must say thanks to Rana family. They are part of our family.”
Joshi said that the members of JK News Today were the soul of the organisation. They were felicitated by Gunjan Rana on this occasion.
Gunjan Rana, in her brief address, stated that it was an honour for her to be part of the event. “It was great to meet team JK News Today. It was a wonderful movie about Kashmir, which of course, is loved by all of us. I wish more peace to our beloved city and more success to JK News Today,” she said.
Dr Sapna Khullar, while addressing the gathering, said that movie relived nostalgia about beautiful Kashmir. “I was mesmerised with such a moving account and an excellent portrayal of the transition of Kashmiri youth from stone-pelters to craftsmen again,” she said. She congratulated the J&K administration and others for bringing back, by sheer dint of their hard work and persistent efforts the past glory of Kashmir, where the “artisans, since ages, with their dexterous fingers have carved out intricate designs on wood and carpets and won acclaim across the world.”
She hoped that the trust shown by the youth in Kashmir in the efforts of the Government of India (for transforming Kashmir) would continue, taking Kashmir to the trajectory of growth.
Binoo Joshi in her vote of thanks stated that their platform would continue with such creative endeavours with the same vibrancy and hard work even in future.