Jammu, Aug 16 — Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Sunday lauded Kashmir Pandit (KP) volunteers for upholding values of compassion, duty and humanity while helping the needy.

L-G Sinha attended the Foundation Day celebration of KP Volunteers, a humanitarian organisation and felicitated its volunteers for their selfless service to the society.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor lauded the organisation's six-and-a-half years of tireless work in serving the needy and upholding the values of compassion, duty and humanity.

He emphasised that true service lies in performing one's duty without expectation of reward.

He said KP Volunteers exemplify this spirit, having never sought fame or wealth but embraced service as a sacred duty.

He recalled how the organisation began in April 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when a single bag of rice donated by the Jammu Ashram of Swami Nand Bab Sahib sowed the seed of a selfless service revolution.

He said KP Volunteers has since grown into a trusted platform for humanitarian service across Jammu and Kashmir.

"I am proud that you have made the welfare of others your guiding principle. I believe that KP Volunteers is also living proof that when service is selfless, it continues to grow like light spreading from one lamp to another. I have seen the achievements of the campaigns being conducted continuously by your organisation, and I can say that these figures tell the story of the far-reaching nature of your selfless service. Behind every statistic is a human being and a life that has been touched by assistance," the Lieutenant Governor said.

Highlighting the organisation's achievements, L-G Sinha noted that under the Family Adoption Programme, 164 families receive monthly assistance in ration, medicines, and education and through the Emergency Assistance Programme, a number of families have been supported in times of crisis, including surgeries and debt relief.

"It was also told that nearly 10,000 online medical consultations were provided during the pandemic and more than 6,500 emergency blood donations were facilitated. The financial support was also extended for the marriages of daughters from economically weaker families."

"These are not merely achievements but they are important milestones in a journey of compassion and service," he said.

The Lieutenant Governor praised KP Volunteers for adopting Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms, ensuring accountability and transforming service into a sacred human bond.

He described the organisation's 411 active volunteers worldwide as the priceless jewels of the Kashmiri Pandit community and urged that their numbers be expanded to meet future challenges in poverty, healthcare, and education.

The Lieutenant Governor also outlined four key priorities for the future -- expanding educational assistance to empower youth, strengthening healthcare support, creating a global volunteer network and empowering women through skill development and entrepreneurship, with greater leadership roles for women volunteers.

"Education is the most powerful instrument for the welfare of all. Empowering children with knowledge and education will prove to be the finest gift we can offer them. There is an urgent need to utilise the potential of the Kashmiri Pandit community settled across the world, as well as that of the Indian diaspora, in order to expand compassion and service and ensure that financial constraints do not obstruct various initiatives," L-G Sinha said.

He also added that the Kashmiri Pandit community has made unique contributions to nation-building, education, philosophy and culture.

He said from ancient times to the modern era, scholars, saints and leaders from the Kashmiri Pandit community have played a significant role in strengthening the intellectual, cultural and administrative foundations of the country.

"KP Volunteers should draw inspiration from these great personalities and dedicate themselves to the field of service. Your objective should be to work together to build a future as glorious as your past. You have kindled the flame of service. It is now the responsibility of the entire community to carry this flame forward."

"Let us resolve today that we will never allow compassion to diminish. Let us pledge that every hungry child will receive food, every child will receive quality education, every young person will have employment, every sick person will receive medicine, and every struggling family will have the opportunity to live with dignity and honour," the Lieutenant Governor said.

Responding to the demands, L-G Sinha reiterated his commitment to the welfare of every member of the Kashmiri Pandit community.

He emphasised that the administration, police, and security forces are fully dedicated to ensuring a peaceful environment.

"Anyone who attempts to disrupt peace will not be allowed to succeed," he said.

Meritorious students were also felicitated on the occasion.

Vikram Koul, KP Volunteers organisation Founder; Kuldeep Khoda, former DGP; Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner; prominent citizens, members of KP Volunteers and people from different walks of life attended the event.

Shridhar Patil, DIG J&K Range; Rakesh Minhas, Jammu Deputy Commissioner, and other senior officials were also present.

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