Realising Mufti’s dream of a peaceful, prosperous JK to be best tribute: Guv

SRINAGAR: Paying rich tributes to the former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Governor N.N. Vohra said that he was one of the exceptional farsighted leaders in the country who was focused on securing the future of his people in the best possible way.
Speaking at a function to release J&K Cultural Academy’s special English and Urdu editions of ‘Sheeraza’ journal highlighting the life, vision and contribution of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, Governor said Sayeed was a highly secular and visionary politician.
Vohra said that despite having a dissenting point of view on any issue, he was always on the same page when it came to the stability, development and welfare of the state and its people.
He said Mufti deserved admiration for his conviction when it came to accomplishing development.
The Governor said that Sayeed’s vision was focused on developing the state on every front in the shortest possible time. He said that Education, Tourism and Horticulture were close to Mufti Sayeed’s heart.
The Governor said it was the vision of Mufti to turn the state’s horticulture sector into a game-changer with special focus on introduction of High Density Fruit Plantation in the state.
“He (Mufti Sayeed) used to say that high density of fruit plants will change the fortunes of the state and its people in a big way and increase the horticulture income from present Rs 7000-8000 crore to Rs 25000-30000 crores,” the Governor said adding that Mufti believed that innovation in horticulture sector will bring prosperity to the state.
Vohra said that Mufti used to say that the second biggest change will come once Srinagar-Jammu rail link will be completed. He said that farmers won’t be under pressure to sell their produce at cheap rates and would instead send it through railways from Baramulla to Kolkata, Delhi markets.
The Governor said that finishing the development projects in shortest possible time will be best tribute to late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
The Governor also inaugurated a Photo Exhibition organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages depicting the life and times of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Minister for Finance & Culture, Dr Haseeb A Drabu; Minister for Social Welfare, Sajad Ghani Lone; Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar; Member Parliament and former Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, Prof Mehraj ud Din also addressed the function and shared their experiences with the late leader.

Mufti ensured that voices of
dissent are heard: Mehbooba

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the biggest contribution of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to the polity of the State was to develop an alternative narrative on and in Jammu & Kashmir so that the voices of dissent are heard and respected. The CM said Mufti wanted the stereotypes about Jammu & Kashmir to change so that the State evolves not as a flashpoint of conflict but as a point of mutual amity and friendship between India and Pakistan. Mehbooba said that Mufti would often say that ideas cannot be caged but contested with more ideas and arguments to drive home the point. The CM said fulfilling the vision of late Mufti to make Jammu & Kashmir an island of peace, cooperation and mutual friendship is the duty of her Government so that the State emerges as a best model of governance and political reconciliation. That, she said, would be the biggest tribute to him.