Indus Peace Foundation organizes conclave of grass root organizations

Srinagar, July 7 (Only Kashmir): A one-day conclave on the topic ‘Effective Governance – A roadmap towards peace’ was organized by Indus Peace Foundation wherein more than 30 socioeconomic organizations participated and shared their creative ideas on effective governance. Besides professors, engineers, Advocates, RTI activists, doctors, community leaders and a good number of female activists also participated.
While welcoming the guests Inam Un Nabi of Indus peace foundation highlighted the importance of effective governance for achievable peace.
Inam remarked that peace, human unity, progress lingers on the effective governance facet and today’s world chaos proves that only effective governance can solve human issues and crisis. He hailed the grass root organizations of Kashmir for showing the vigor to take on crucial issues head on and participating in this brainstorming conclave with their effective ideas and experiences.
Inam urged divisional administration to fulfil its promises like their inclusion in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, provision of government-sponsored social welfare schemes, their registration with the Labour Commission, provision of loans with low interest rates, place for them at the forthcoming Polo View market etc. made with the Footpath Unions of Srinagar.
Inam Un Nabi reposed full faith that effective governance will be a reality soon.
Chairman, Indus Peace Foundation Mr. Rakesh Khatna said that there is a situation of sort of administrative inertia which needs to tackled effectively. He said since there is no peace there is no effective governance and we must bring back peace to activate administration. Mr. Rakesh assured that we are there for action and will try to act on issues of mass concern to send across the right message. He requested all leaders to come forward and join us. Mr. Rakesh praised Inam Un Nabi a lot for wonderful imitative and his keenness to take things forward for everlasting peace. He also said that though I’m a Hindu and don’t feel insecure amongst Muslims and I believe in the religion of humanity. We must need in harmony, he said.
G N War Chairman Private Schools Association & Coaching Centers Association while addressing the conclave criticised The new education policy. Mr War said “policy stresses skill on 80 percent students and quality education for chosen few. It seems the main aim is to make 80 percent students as bonded employees of the capitalist world while as 20 percent will have an upper edge on them. The NEP destroys the concept of equality and it is anti-poor”
Abrar Ahmad Khan, Chairman ATTCC discussed need of giving real time solution for giving a better governance.also stressed on the need to monitor the integrity of usages of funds be it govt and private both.Also stressed to strengthen higher education system and need to open universities in private sector as in Punjab. Also emphasized on refraining ad-hocism in administration to optimize productivity and answerability and to have a tenure policy as well.
Advocate Syed Mujtaba highlighted the plight of Drug menace and mental Health scenario in JK, adding, Kashmir is witnessing an alarming increase in heroin consumption among the youth. It is an alarming situation. If immediate corrective measures are not taken to deal with this menace, Kashmir is planked to go down the same path as Punjab and other conflict-hit states in North East, Mujtaba said.
Mujtaba deliberated that Jammu and Kashmir have been facing a serious challenge to curb the menace of drug addiction due to the absence of treatment centers at the district level.
Educationist, Prof. Riyaz Ahmad said that while Effective Governance and Peace are interdependent but it doesn’t mean that the partial absence of one should make the other ineffective and impossible and if it does then there are dangerous motives and consequences to it. The fact remains that the absence of one makes another more imperative and significant.
Peer Imtiyaz ul Hassan, President, All Traders Transporters Coordination Committee Kashmir & Chairman Rehabilitation Alliance Kashmir said that post-Batamaloo bus stand shifting, around 36000 jobs lost in private sector which has, in turn, dragged these youth towards the anti-social activity.
Irfan Ahmad Bhat, Chief Spokesman of Kashmir Bakers and Confectionary Association asked government to repeal bad laws including AFSPA. While highlighting the importance of freedom of speech, Irfan said there is immediate need to give space to new ideas and not to muzzle any voice. Irfan also stressed on the need of free moment of vehicles on Nationaal Highway as he termed present restrictions on highway, an embargo on Trade and Commerce in Kashmir.
Qurat-ul-Ain Masoodi, chairperson of Aash said because of poverty scores of girls were crossing the proper age of marriage while we as society was not paying any heed. “The institution of marriage in Kashmir valley has completely transformed in an alarming way, as a result, thousands of our sisters are not able to get married,” Qurat said.
Research officer of IUST Dr. Aijaz Qureshi said that governance should be empowered at every level. Every section of the society has to play a role. The state has many challenges for its development and prevailing of peace is imperative for its development. He said that society should swoop immediately into action against the socials evils like drug addiction, mental illness etc.
Socio-Political activist Peerzada Firdouse Ahmad Baba said “Building peace is a simultaneous process and a social activist can be the ambassadors of the peace not people who are in the corridors of power. Good Governance can be achieved when we introspect our own selves at an individual level, and ensure accountability of public money practically at ground level.”
Renowned social activist Syed Shakir said Good governance is possible when corruption is eliminated at all levels and we need not follow the path of corrupt persons in the system. It is necessary to do justice with the job assigned to us at any level and deliver for the welfare of the society. Education and awareness among the people can lead to good governance and accountability.
Sheikh Minhaj Larvi, a renowned Socio-Political activist prioritized strengthening the educational and health sector of the state, as he said education is an only weapon to wipe the corruption in Kashmir.
The socio-political leader from Tral Sheikh Abdul Rashid said that the only way to prevail peace is to give people their right. The grievances of poor people should be heard and answered on fast track basis. Human rights shouldn’t be violated. He also said that the stopping of ambulances on National Highway isn’t just violations of human rights it is rather a heinous crime.
Iftikhar Misgar, a TV debater said there should be broad consensus that governance mattered as a means of preventing and resolving conflict; providing social stability; promoting economic growth; enhancing public sector management; and promoting sustainable human development.
South Asia Peace Movement Chairman Tariq Ahmad Bhat said Effective governance at local government levels will immensely reduce criminality. He said the effective governance will empower people belonging from the business community and will give a sense of belonging to the masses.
Socio-Political activist Adil Hussain said the menace of Corruption must be weed out from the system to pave way for Transparency in the System. The Checks and balance system of Accountability should be strengthened. A foolproof mechanism of fast track disposals of grevience Cell Should be operational and functional within the fixed time frame. The human resource management and Capacity building and nurturing of Employees should be a regular affair to elevate their excellence. Merit should be the ultimate principle for any recruitment policy, he suggested.
Socio-Political activist Firdouse Nabi said that Federal Government needs to ensure this issue of local government financial sense of belonging come to stay with strict supervision so that dividends of democracy is seriously impacted directly to the poor majority masses please.
Chairman RLA Trust Sheikh Firdouse said that our rural areas need to be out of shambles to meet the present reality of positive life and Peace is only Possible when you ensure Effective Governance.
Chairman Helping Hand Foundation Umar Wani said that society need to show immediate concern about the menace of drugs. He said all the stakeholders should join the hands in increasing awareness, to check the easy availability of such drugs.
Farooq Ahmad Kuchay President Artisan Association impressed upon the government to fulfil its commitment and come out with a comprehensive relief package for the handicraft workers and artisans of Kashmir. He said that hundreds of families in Kashmir, especially in Srinagar city, are dependent on handicraft industry.
Syed Rukhsana, Center Manager, Sakhi Center 181 apprised about the helpline centre started by the Govt. of India . She said The Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India has launched a scheme for Women Helpline 181 for women in distress a One Stop Centre (OSC) which is intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public places, within the family, community and at the workplace. She further said that All existing emergency services and those that provide support to women would be integrated with this women helpline.
Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal Chairman Jammu Kashmir National Youth Forum said that the people at grass root need effective governance, therefore Youth need to massively come out to support better governance at local government levels or act as Pressure Groups. He said that high time to stop supporting those who are not ready for good governance at local government levels.
All J&K Youth Society General Secretary Asif Plaisar laid stress on students to focus on studies and play virtual role to rebuild “Naya Kashmir”. He also mentioned that how we can use social media for a good cause that will yield positive results in the society.
Syed Aijaz Kashiani was moderating the program.
Social activist Suhail Ahmad Koul thanked the participants and the volunteers including Saliq Sidiq, Basit Bashir, Arsalan Bhat, Samin Sidiq.
The participants thanked Inam Un Nabi for organizing this enclave.