SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday lauded the invaluable contribution of KP Volunteers, referring to them as the ‘priceless jewels’ of the Kashmiri Pandit community. He urged for the expansion of the volunteer network to effectively address future challenges in the critical sectors of poverty alleviation, healthcare, and education across Jammu and Kashmir.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Lieutenant Governor Sinha was addressing the Foundation Day celebration of KP Volunteers. During the event, he personally felicitated volunteers for their dedicated and selfless service, acknowledging the organization’s six-and-a-half years of consistent humanitarian efforts.
Sinha emphasized that the KP Volunteers have demonstrated the profound impact of service rendered without expectation of reward, highlighting how such dedication continuously grows and positively touches the lives of individuals in need. He recalled the inception of the organization in April 2020 during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative reportedly began with a single bag of rice donated by the Jammu Ashram of Swami Nand Bab Sahib, and has since evolved into a trusted platform for humanitarian service throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
The organization’s commitment to community welfare is evident through its Family Adoption Programme, which currently provides monthly assistance in the form of rations, medicines, and educational support to 164 families. Furthermore, KP Volunteers has extended crucial support to families facing emergent situations, including assistance for medical surgeries and relief from debt-related hardships.
During the peak of the pandemic, the volunteers played a significant role by facilitating nearly 10,000 online medical consultations and orchestrating over 6,500 emergency blood donations. The organization has also provided financial aid to support the marriages of daughters from economically disadvantaged families, underscoring its multifaceted approach to welfare.
Lieutenant Governor Sinha remarked that these are not just achievements, but significant milestones in a journey defined by compassion and service. He noted the presence of 411 active volunteers engaged globally, reiterating that they represent the ‘priceless jewels’ of the Kashmiri Pandit community and encouraged greater participation in the network.
Looking ahead, Sinha outlined four key priorities for the organization: enhancing educational assistance for the youth, strengthening healthcare support systems, fostering a robust global volunteer network, and empowering women through skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives. He specifically highlighted the importance of education, stating that empowering children with knowledge is one of the most impactful contributions to their overall welfare.
He also appealed for increased engagement from the global Kashmiri Pandit diaspora and the broader Indian diaspora in humanitarian endeavors. The Lieutenant Governor acknowledged the historical contributions of the Kashmiri Pandit community to India’s intellectual, cultural, and administrative landscape, urging KP Volunteers to draw inspiration from this legacy of scholarship and public service.
Sinha implored the volunteers to sustain the spirit of compassion and ensure that individuals facing hardship have consistent access to essential resources such as food, education, employment, and healthcare. He also reaffirmed the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Kashmiri Pandit community, assuring that the administration, police, and security forces are dedicated to maintaining a peaceful and secure environment. Sinha issued a stern warning that any attempts to disrupt peace would not be tolerated.
The event also saw the felicitation of meritorious students, recognizing their academic achievements. Among those present were Vikram Koul, Founder of KP Volunteers; Kuldeep Khoda, former Director General of Police; Dr. Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner; Shridhar Patil, DIG JSK Range; Dr. Rakesh Minhas, Jammu Deputy Commissioner; along with members of KP Volunteers and other distinguished citizens.
The Chenab Times News Desk