Div Com joins Tribal Pride Day celebrations hosted by Sar-e-Mastan Tribal Gurjar Foundation

Poonch : Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Raghav Langer today joined Tribal Pride Day celebrations hosted by Sar-e-Mastan Tribal Gurjar Foundation here at Krishan Chander Park.Thousands of Gujjar & Bakarwal attended the Conference to reiterate their resolve to protect and promote the Tribal Culture & identity.Divisional Commissioner, Raghav Langar, was Special invitee and Chief of Guest on the occasion.The Conference was organised under the banner of Sar-e-Mastan tribal Welfare Foundation. Different tribal commodities, artifacts and heritage items were showcased in the Conference, while a scintillating cultural programme featuring folk songs depicted the oldest tribal culture of J&K.The Divisional Commissioner and DDC Poonch were wrapped in Traditional Gojri Lungi. The organizers also submitted a memorandum of demands to the Chief Guest.Speaking on the occasion, Ch Asad Noomani, Chairman of the Foundation, remarked that its the prime responsibility of the Gujjar and Bakarwal community to protect and promote tribal culture.

He ensured that his team will go to any extent to protect this age-old culture and further unite the community with the national mainstream to promote the dignity and integrity of the Indian nation. He hailed Union Government and Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, for implementing Forest Rights Act in J&K and providing political reservations to Gujjar-Bakarwals in all the three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions. He demanded that the reservation in promotions may also be implemented in letter in spirit thereby ensuring presence of officers of this marginalised community at the higher rung.The people present on the occasion took a pledge to promote peace and strengthen unity and integrity of India.Ch Ayaz Saif and Gulnaz Chouhan sung heart touching songs to amuse the gathering thereby winning many accolades. Gujjar girls of GDC and Gujjar Hostel, Poonch presented group songs.Welcome speech was presented by Head Master Lal Hussain Tedwa and Words of Thanks were given by Ch Farooq Tanha.Gujjar Youth President Akhlaq Tabassam & Basharat Azeem also presented their views and promised to work for the rights of the community.BDC Chairman Ch Jameel Kohli, Sarpanch Jaan Bahadur, Sarpanch Captain Sadiq, Maroof Bajjar, Haji Abdul Rehman, Abdul Razzaq khaki, Tanveer Choudhary, Hafiz Rayaz, warden Fareed Choudhary and others also aired their views.