Sangarmall Foundation Observes Guru Teg Bhadur Martyr's Day

The Occasion of martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru at the hands of tyrant Mugal Rule Aurangzeb was observed with reverence and devotion at Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra, Jammu.

The Occasion was celebrated by Sangarmall Foundation in collaboration with J&K: Akhil Bhartiya Sahitya Parishad at the Hall provided by Saneevni Sharda Kendra; Aanand Nagar Bohri, Jammu on 22nd of Nov, 2022 afternoon.

The proceedings started by welcome to the dignitaries. The Presidium was set-up with literary and social personalities of repute. The dignitaries included, Prof. P. N Trisal, a distinguish scholar and linguist of JKUT. He presided over the function. Dr. Sumit Khajuria a reputed human rights activist and Sh. Pran Pandit Retd. SSP, J&K Police, an eminent columnist and author writer.were the guests of honour. Sh. A.K Trakkroo, form Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra added to the grace of the dais.

Flowers of Shardanjali were offered by all present followed by Gurbani Recital by Sardar Ranveer Singh ji followed by recitation of Lal Vakhs by Sh. P. N. Raina who has authored a book on Lall Ded. Then it was a session of reading of the papers. Sh. Upender Amberdar a scholar of repute spoke about the sacrifice of the Guru to save the religious faith and the life of the Kashmiri pandit community and described the supreme Balidan of Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Sardar ranveer Singh, a budding Scholar spoke on Guru ji's Vani and importance of all Guru Vani in social spectrum. Pran Pandit from the presidium read a paper and stressed upon Parishram; Samvedna and Sahas of the great Guru. Sumir Khajuria Spoke at length about the Guru being a savior of human rights and His sacrifice for social justice. Khajuria Shahab also said that Guru ji was the creator of maximum literature for Sikh dharam. Sh. Avtar K Trakroo from Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra also emphasized upon the greatness of Guru Teg Bahadur and the need for bringing element of the life of Guru in our lives for positive changes.

Prof. P.N Trisal in his president comment said that many a forced conversions were put to a stop after the heroic sacrifice by Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and His minor sons. The whole programme was conducted by Arvind Shah, National Executive Committee Member, Akhil Bhartiya Sahitiya Parishad and I/C JKUT.

The programme concluded by vote of thanks by Sh. Ramesh Hangoo, Director Shardha Radio. In his thanking the presidium and the distinguished audience, he referred to the sacrifice of Guru Teg Bhadur Sahab and empathetically spoke of the greatness of Guru Sahib for social justice and a bit of it needs to be absorbed in our character to have a good society.

It lasted for over three hours in the presence of many literary giants who blessed the occasion by their presence.

Jammu Kashmir Vichar Manch observes 31st Maha Shivratri Samoohik Mahotsava/ Milan on February 26th, 2023 at Sathya Sai Auditorium, Bhisham Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

Jammu Kashmir Vichar Munch observes social and cultural activities round the year to keep a bond with Kashmiri pandit culture, rituals and heritage.

Samoohik Shivratri Mahotsava is one of the major programmes of Vichar Munch. It is organized every year and constitutes discourses by Eminent Scholars, Cultural & Musical Programmes by eminent artists, display of young talent, felicitation of Prominent Personalities etc. Community members who make an outstanding contribution in the area of Literature/social work/gallantry are recognised and felicitated.

Samoohik Mahashivratri Mahotsava or Haerath Milan, as is popularly called by the community is being celebrated for over three decades without a break. This is to be 31st edition of the programme. The function is a much awaited event in NCR and has seen the participation of prominent people and many dignitaries from time to time.

This year on public demand we have decided to conduct Lalita and A.N.Kaul Sahib Memorial Kashmin Speaking competition, Posh Kuj Kaul memorial Poster making Competition, Vatuk Model, Dress Competition and Shankh Naad Competition virtually through social media platforms like Zoom and Facebook. Earlier these programmes were held physically at the venue.

Important features of the event

1. Lalita Kaul & A.N Kaul Sahib Memorial Award for Kashmiri Speaking has been an integral part of this programme since many years. Children in the age group of up to 14 years in junior category and from 15 years to 22 years in the senior category can participate and demonstrate their proficiency in Kashmiri language. Bimla Kaul Memorial consolation cash prizes for three best performers in senior and junior category of Kashmiri speaking will also be given.
2. Posh Kuj Koul memorial Poster making Competition on the theme "The Kashmir as 1 Visualise" for the children of same age group as mentioned above will be held on online a week before the competition virtually.
3. Vatuk Model Competition and Dress Competition is open to all community members irrespective of age and gender. Participants are supposed to make conceptual models depicting Vatuk layout. Best three participants will be suitably rewarded.
4. Felicitation and awards to community members for their outstanding contribution:
   For the outstanding work and contribution in various fields/activities JKVM has been felicitating the persons from the KP community under the following categories:
   • Lalitaditya Shaurya Sammaan for outstanding act of bravery.
   • Pt. Krishnajoo Razdan Saraswati Sammaan for routstanding work in literature.
   • Shriyabhat Kirti Sammaan for outstanding work in community service.
   • Yashaskar Sammaan for remarkable institutional contribution for community upliftment.
   • Pt Tika Lal Taploo Memorial Award for outstanding nationalistic contribution in Kashmir Valley.
5. Other components of Samoohik Shivratri Mahotsava include
6. Bhajan Sandhya & Cultural programme by Gaashtarukh team.
7. Samoohik Shankh Naad will also be an attraction of the event.

We take an offortunity, though this activity report to invite all of you to this year's Samoohik Shivratri Mahotsava Programme Venue Sathya Sai Auditorium, Bhisham Pitamah Marg, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Date and Time - 26th February 2023, 3.00 PM onwards

Kashmireshwar Kashyap Rishi Bhawan (KKRB) /Kashmiri Migrants Welfare Association (Regd.), Noida

The organization works from Noida from its Bhawan in Noida with the sole purpose of preserving and promoting the rich KP socio-cultural legacy and ethos of Kashmiri pandit. But for a brief interruption during the pandemic, we have been following a regular calendar of events for the entire year. The outline of the activities during the year 2022 are briefly mentioned here. All the activities were performed with devotion and community participation. The functions saw socio-cultural bonding with customs and traditions - traditional foods and snacks, in addition to religious fervor. The enthusiasm of the general community members at large makes the functions worthy community activities.

Hawan on every Purnmashi of the year. Thus twelve hawans were performed during the year. Bagwan Gopi Nath Janam Utsav, Sahibi Sattam and Prakash Utsav of Alkeshwari Mata Ropa Bhawani functions were celebrated. Vaital Sheyam was celebrated. After recitation of Bhairav Stuti, a Pooja was performed in traditional discipline. Zang Trai was performed followed by the distribution of customary salt and token cash among the Matra Shakti. Janam Ashtami Bagwan Sri Krishna's birthday was celebrated an devotees prayed baby krishan a beautifully decorated Gugemanzul (Devotional swing for baby Krishna). Hora Ashtami the commencement of a fortnight long Herath celebrations was heralded with an evening full of devotional songs. Felicitation to Children, who perform in their respective fields, whether academics or extra-curricular activities were given recognition. Homage to our martyrs was observed with reverence. A candle light vigil was held to protest against the dastardly killing of Rahul Bhat in Kashmir.

We celebrate Republic day and Independence day with great fervor and patriotism. We try to do our best to add Dignity in Death. All facilitating jobs are undertaken in a missionary manner to reach with a helping hand to the concerned families to enable them perform all the rituals and costumes.

Other activity in the year 2022 saw a phenomenal cooperation of all Displaced Kashmiri Pandits living in and around Noida, who opened their hearts and pockets with massive contributions to enable KMWA Noida to clear all its debts and obtain all statutory clearances, and helped us to look forward.