Need for collaborative efforts against social evils: Omar

Srinagar, Jul 28: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah on Thursday necessitated collaborative efforts to curb the menace of drug addiction in Kashmir.
He said this while addressing the foundation and annual parent’s day function of J&K Rural Development society held at the auditorium hall of the Dental College Shireen Bagh, Srinagar. The event was presided over by former Speaker and Chairman JKRDS Mubarak Gul.
Party’s Additional General Secretary Dr Mustafa Kamal, Dy Political Secretary to VP Mudassar Shahmiri, Youth leader Younis Gul, others were also present on the occasion. The event was marked by various cultural programmes and felicitation of people from different walks of life for their public services and excellence in various fields. Executive Editor Gulistan News Ishfaq Gowhar bagged Alamdar-e-Kashmir Award; Umran Malik, Mrs Late Shakeel Ahmed Mir bagged Madre Meharban Awards, and Reyaz Ahmed Bhat was felicitated with Khatija Begum Award.
Calling for collaborative efforts from civil society in purging the society from social evils and creating awareness on various fronts in tackling various other issues, Omar said.
“The burgeoning menace of drug addiction in Kashmir needs to be addressed seriously. It is high time for us to stand up and talk against it. It is not a one man’s task to take on this challenge. It is a gigantic work that calls for our collaborative efforts to be operated on multiple fronts,” he said.
Climatic change, Omar said, was another topical issue that demands community action. “We are witnessing weather extremities. Let me tell you that saving the environment also starts with us. As a vibrant organization, JKRDS can make a difference in this direction by educating people to make eco-friendly choices in their kitchens and other work spaces. I hope the organization will take up few causes and work with dedication to realise the anticipated goals. Having many goals makes it hard to achieve them. It is better to have few and remain focussed,” he added.
In his address, Mubarak Gul gave a detailed account of the milestones achieved by JKRDS. He assured the dignitaries and people present on the occasion that the organization will work with renewed vigour to combat drug addiction and substance abuse with the active participation of the civil society, parents, and religious leaders.