Kashmiri Pandits resolve to connect with their roots.
“We want Kashmiri youths to connect with their roots. They should understand that while they may have settled in different corners of the world, their roots are in Kashmir.” This was the message on the first day of the two-day international Kashmiri Pandit youth conference that began here on Saturday.
Organised by the ‘Youth 4 Panun Kashmir’ at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagriha, Kothrud, the conference was inaugurated by Sarla Taploo, widow of Tikalal Taploo, the first martyr from Kashmir during its communal strife. Kashmiri Pandits from Germany, Dubai and various parts of the country participated in the meet. According to the organisers, about 500 Kashmiri Pandits reside in Pune.
Speaking at the event, the local coordinator for the conference, Rohit Bhatt said Kashmiri Pandits were “living in exile” for the last 22 years. The gathering was organised to enlighten the youth on the events of the past and to make children aware of their roots. “No matter where we are living today, Kashmir is the land of our ancestors,” he said.
Speaking via video conferencing from Germany, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar appealed to the youths to go back to Kashmir, buy land and establish educational institutions to preserve their identity and cultural heritage.
Eminent Kashmiri youth icons like film actor Raj Zutshi; santoor player Abhay Rustom Sopory; cultural activist, Dalip Langoo; Ten Sports’ chief operating officer, Sanjay Raina; and chief executive officer of Supermax, Ajay Bindroo were awarded Kashmir Kirti Samman.
A film on Tikalal Taploo, ‘The Great Martyr Tikalal Taploo’ by Sanjay Raina was released on the occasion. Pancham, a Kashmiri calendar, was also released.
The next step of the organisation is to set up working committees to preserve the art, culture and traditions of Kashmir, a professional committee that would guide youths regarding careers, a social committee that would bring together Kashmiri Pandits, a political committee that would take up issues on a political level, he said.
If the first day of the conference was dominated by art and cultural sessions, the second day will have subjects related to careers, women empowerment, political endorsement and others.
Businessman Sushant Kaul, who attended the conference, said the objective of the conference was to encourage Kashmiris to come together and remember their roots. “Although, we have lost our land today, we haven’t forgotten our goal,” he said.
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