Change in Srinagar is now or never
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth wing in charge, Waheed-ur- Rehman Parra has said youth of Srinagar has suffered a systematic exploitation over the last sixty years at the hands of those who have represented it the most that is why the city is facing huge development crisis, growth stagnation and economic backwardness and the present election is the ‘Now or Never’ opportunity for the youth to get rid of this. Addressing a youth gathering from Srinagar on the party’s ‘Youth For Change’ campaign at Lala Rukh Lal chock, Waheed termed Srinagar as crown of J&K, which has, unfortunately, remained misrepresented for youth and the ruling party has always taken the city dwellers for granted for its political benefits. He said if developed and projected properly, the summer capital can compete with the best developed cities in the world given its historic, aesthetic and cultural value.
Waheed said the people in Srinagar are facing tremendous problems on multiple fronts and its youth are not getting due share in the government and other public sector jobs. Srinagar youth has been facing bullets, killings, torture and state repression. He said unemployment ratio in Srinagar is high and the ruling party can’t go unscathed for the deceit, tricks it played with the youth of the city over the years now. He said it was the denial of democracy and the subsequent betrayals which have pushed the youth to the wall and the PDP will involve them in the governance system so that they could realise their dreams and will help the party in its unfinished agenda of J&K resolution and good governance. He said the youth are looking for quality education, respectful job avenues and have nothing to do with the politics of polarization and deceit practiced by the National Conference from time to time. He said no serious efforts were taken to address the grievances and anger of the youth, who are going through huge depression, resulted out of resultant betrayals at the hands of National Conference. He said the maximum youth who got martyred in 2010 at the hands of security forces and majority of whom against FIRs have been lodged are from Srinagar. He said by calling Srinagar their bastion, the ruling party politicians are simply adding insult to the injury of youth who have faced maximum brunt of their cruelty and callousness.
He said the PDP envisions making the youth powerful and wants to bring back the scholarly status the state used to enjoy in the past. He said it is the policy of PDP to establish more quality schools, world class universities, research institutions in J&K that not only will help in stopping the money drain but will encourage people from other parts of the country, South and Central Asia to come over here for study purposes. He said next elections will be books versus ballot and merit versus money.
Waheed said the trend has to be changed now, and the youth of Srinagar must come forward and help PDP to see an end of the NC’s exploitive politics which they have been playing with the state in general and the city in particular for a long time now. He said it is now up to people to think what is good for them, and PDP will ensure a transparent and accountable governance system that will respect the their aspirations. He said 2014 will be the turning point in the history of J&K and youth will be the agents of change.
Speaking on occasion PDP Dist. Vice President Srinagar Ab Rouf said Srinagar needs a planned development keeping in view its rich history, culture and ambiance and the PDP during its brief tenure in the government not only tried to change the development discourse in the city but ushered in a new era of change in its entire outlook. The four laning of by pass, beautification of Jhelum bunds, development of historic Eid Gah, Jamia Masjid, Aali Masjid, construction of Veer Chattabal, reforms in power, mega drainage system, construction of first flyover etc. were some important projects which PDP could take up in the brief tenure. He said it is the PDP vision to take the development to next level and not to confine it to just lanes and drains only as is done by NC. He said change in the governance system is must to provide people relief and the youth of Srinagar have an important role to play in establishing an honest, accountable and transparent system in the state, so that the growth stagnation , economic deprivation which the city is facing will end. Hundreds of youth who interacted with youth leader highlighted the gripping insecurity among the youth and condemned the unfortunate remarks by Farooq Abdullah against Kashmiris. They appreciated the PDP roadmap of Self rule which was shown to them through Power point presentation. The youngsters pledged to participate in elections wholeheartedly and send the best people to parliament as their representative.
On this occasion Youth Leaders Dr Shanti singh, Mohd Lateef Mir and others were also present and spoke to the gathering.