A special meeting of the executive committee of the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) was held under the chairmanship of DSS president Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, followed by a press conference at the Dogra Hall in the DSS complex on 19 Jun 2017.
The committee expressed grave concern over the increased cases of violence and continued bloodshed in Kashmir Valley and offered condolences to the bereaved families of the recently martyred Policemen of JKP and security forces personnel. While, insisting upon the civil society in the Valley to assist in exerting to calm down the situation, the DSS asked for uttermost restrain and vigilance in Jammu and Ladakh regions to ensure that the evil influences are kept away, and the peace, amicability and inter-communal brotherhood is not disturbed in the State.
In pursuance of the visit by President DSS & President JKESL Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, AVSM to United Kingdom, the meeting approved of appointments for the overseas chapter of the DSS. Prominent Dogra activist Shri Sajjad Raja of Bhimber (PoJK) settled in UK was appointed as the Coordinator of the DSS activities overseas. He is based in London and shall establish the voluntary international DSS chapter. He will also coordinate activities with the ‘Voice of Dogra’ organization already based at London. All policy decisions, appointments and press releases from UK chapter will be vetted at the DSS head office Jammu J&K prior to their issue/implementation.
Eminent Urdu writer Ms Sameena Raja also from PoJK and settled in London is included in the ‘Think tank’ and the intellectual group of DSS. She shall share her research work and articles about Dogras and origin of Jammu habitat, for process and publication in leading Urdu publications of J&K (India). A Sub Committee was approved to vet, monitor and edit her publications.
The committee includes Prof Anita Billoria, Dean Social Sciences & Director of Study for History of Jammu & Ladakh Regions, Jammu University, Col Dr Virendra Sahi, Vr Chakra, Former Dy Brigade Commander turned Journalist, Sr Editor of The bi-lingual monthly magazine ‘Patrika’ & J&K State Director of The War Decorated (India), Shri Sohail Qazmi, Advocate, Chief Editor of the Daily Tasqeen, Ex Secretary General Press Club, Jammu and Kanwar Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, Executive Editor, The Dogra Herald, Incharge Youth Wing of DSS & Member Trustee, Dogra Educational Tust, J&K, Jammu.
The president DSS greeted the Dogra community for the forthcoming religious festivity of Eid and the Shri Amarnath ji Shrine pilgrimage. He exhorted that both the events must be celebrated with traditional gaiety and mutual brotherhood in affectionate concern for each other’s sensitivities. Th. Gulchain Singh Charak also requested the Dy Chief Minister and the local administration to make adequate arrangements for the large number of pilgrims expected from the whole country as well as from abroad.
Special care should be taken to ensure that in case of any road block or weather bound disruption, the stranded pilgrims are systematically cared for in our traditional hospitality in a well organized way and places earmarked for lodging, boarding and caring for the overflow. Adequate standby arrangements will be required for water, power supply and sanitation needs. He further suggested that SRTC busses be placed at the Yatri Nivas to take the waiting pilgrims to a ‘Jammu Darshan’ that will keep them engaged happily and give a boost to local tourism and economy. The earmarked buses should include some luxury busses painted with ‘JAMMU DARSHAN’ and sign boards indicating route charts and site seeing destinations. Depending upon the success, this feature can be made permanent for Vaisno Mata and Buda Amarnathji Pilgrims and other tourists to boost regional tourism and trade.
He once again reiterated the demand of early repair and restoration of the Mubarak Mandi complex and not to shift the priceless treasure of old historical documents to an unsafe place at Kala Kendra. Th. Gulchain Singh Charak suggested that the Mubarak Mandi complex be included for site seeing during ‘Jammu Darshan’. The grand old buildings, including the ruins can be illuminated and neatly sign posted indicating their pristine glory and historical importance.
Following other office bearers of DSS were also present in press conference : Maj Gen. G. S Jamwal , Dr. N. K. Dogra, Col. Karan Singh Jamwal (Retd.), Sh. Prem Sagar Gupta, Sh. Ghulam Ahmed Khawaja –DC (Retd), Col. Dr Virender Kumar Sahi –Vr. Chakra, Sh. Sohail Kazmi, Sh. Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, Sh. Syed Amanat Ali & Sh. Janak Khajuria.,
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