Serving needy highest duty: Lt Guv

Jammu, Apr 14: Asserting that there is no higher duty than serving those in need, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that to feed a hungry soul is to invite grace into your own.
Addressing a ceremony held to mark the upgradation of ‘Apna Bhojanalaya’ at Government Medical College here, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted the importance of compassion and service. “Feeding the hungry is among the most sacred acts. To feed a hungry soul is to invite grace into your own. When a hand extends in need and another rises in nurture, divine grace moves quietly between them. This is humanity at its absolute finest,” he added.
The community kitchen is run by Sewa Bharti and supported by J&K Bank along with other donors.
The Lieutenant Governor lauded the noble initiative and partook in a meal at Apna Bhojanalaya. “Sewa Bharti’s enduring spirit of giving back, empowers individuals and strengthens communities. There is no higher duty than serving those in need. Sewa Bharti has honored that duty by nourishing bodies, restoring souls, and affirming the dignity of every human life. To strengthen Apna Bhojanalaya is to strengthen the very fabric of our society,” he said.
“Our aim should be selfless service to the neighbor, the city around us, and the nation that unites us. A strong J&K means strong families. Strong communities. Citizens empowered to lead, to contribute, to rise. When we lift every sector, we lift the Union Territory itself. Commit to this cause and build a legacy worthy of pride,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He emphasized that the change needs no vast resources but just the spirit for selfless service, vision, persistence and love for the community.
Sinha commended Sewa Bharti, volunteers and donors for transforming millions’ lives with their selfless service. “You did not merely feed the hungry, you upheld the dignity of millions. And today, let us take a pledge that this service will never stop. The kitchen of Apna Bhojanalaya will never grow cold and every hand in our society will give to the best of its capacity to those who need it most,” he said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor called upon every section of society to join the war against drug abuse.
Jai Dev, Akhil Bharatiya Chatrawas Pramukh, Sewa Bharti; Parmeet, Sangathan Mantri, Sewa Bharti; Prof. Rakesh Jha, President; Pradeep Kapoor, General Secretary; Sushil Kapoor, Bhojanalay Sanchalak; Trilok Singh Negi, Ajay Takoo and other officer bearers and volunteers of Sewa Bharti J&K were present.
Arvind Gupta, Member of Legislative Assembly from Jammu West; Amitava Chatterjee, Managing Director and CEO, J&K Bank Limited; Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal GMC Jammu; Dr Gautam Mengi, Dr Ritu Singh and other prominent citizens and senior officials also attended the ceremony. (KNO)