Ramnagar, 19/09/22: Eulogizing the gargantuan socio-political achievements and contributions of Former Minister Mr Harsh Dev Singh, Ramnagar Peoples Forum honoured Mr Singh with “Iron Man of J&K” title in a grandeur function in Ramnagar today. Mr Singh received an arousing reception from thousands of youth, elders, women, farmers and traders who participated in the felicitation function.
He was attired with a traditional Dogra turban and presented a memento by the forum amid a huge round of applause by the people. The speakers hailing from various sections of the society recalled the contributions of Mr Singh as MLA and Minister and described him as the lone crusader who stood firm for the cause of the poor and downtrodden.
Speaking on occasion, Mr Sukhdev Singh, a prominent citizen and social activist, said that the developmental works which Mr Singh executed in Ramnagar during his tenure as MLA and Minister had been acknowledged at both State and National levels. He maintained that the nation and J&K, in particular, need leaders like Harsh Dev Singh, whose priority had always been public welfare and remained a frontrunner to voice the concerns of all sections of society with selfless motives.
He further divulged that having been acknowledged as Best Legislator in J&K, Harsh Dev Singh’s role and contributions were lauded, and he won accolades in each session of the J&K Legislature during his tenure as MLA and Minister. “He has been felicitated by several social and political organizations of the State and country for outstanding contributions and for espousing the cause of poor, downtrodden, farmers, unemployed youth, and employees besides various other sections of the society.
He was also conferred with the ‘Star of Jammu’ award by the then Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand in 2002 for his commitment to the cause of people and for vociferous projection of the concerns of poor and underprivileged”, Sukhdev said.
While showering praise upon the leader of the masses, Pandit Shiv Ram Sharma, another prominent citizen, said Mr Harsh Dev, as Minister for Education in J&K from 2002 to 2005, had brought about revolutionary changes in the field of education, which received nationwide applause.
“He opened around 11,000 new schools and 22 Government Degree Colleges within a period of three years, appointed 35,000 teachers in the most transparent manner, gave promotions to around 22,000 employees of the Education Department besides settling the 20 years old demands of the teaching community for removal of pay anomalies.
Harsh Dev’s performance as Education Minister of J&K was publically appreciated by Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Arjun Singh, at a conference in the presence of various Education Ministers of different states. He is considered a role model by budding politicians and is hailed across the J&K State for his herculean efforts for the upliftment of the general masses.
He gained appreciation in the Assembly for unparalleled development of Ramnagar Constituency, which topped the State in growth and development and became an example for others to emulate besides being acknowledged in the State Legislature”, Sharma mentioned.
Expressing his gratitude to Ramnagar Peoples Forum, Mr Harsh Dev Singh thanked the people for their overwhelming love and affection. He said he should continue to work relentlessly for the people, which was his sole objective in life. “Time has come for all of us to give a befitting reply to all communal and divisive forces. People are suffering under the present rule.
Youth have been languishing on roads for jobs, farmers and traders are suffering, and the common man is continuing to face the wrath of spine-breaking inflation. Over and above, social menace like corruption, nepotism, drug abuse, etc., has soared and become rampant. The bureaucrats are ruling the roost and have no connection with the people. People have been bearing the brunt of mal governance.
Schools in the hinterland are running without teachers, hospitals and primary health centres are facing an acute shortage of doctors and para-medical staff, and lack of basic amenities like road, water, and electricity have thrown the life of the people out of gear. I vow to fight and raise public issues to my strength and conviction unless justice and rights were delivered to my people”, roared Harsh.
Others who spoke on occasion included Sagar Dev Singh, Kali Dass, Saif Ali, Kulbir Gupta, Dev Singh, Shiv Dev, and Pushpinder Singh, besides others
