Commending the step taken by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for building a Maharashtra Bhavan in Kashmir towards strengthening ties between Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir, city-based NGO Sarhad has urged the state government to meet the longstanding demand of constructing a Jammu and Kashmir Bhavan in the city.
Sarhad has been working for thirty years to foster people-to-people relationships and promote harmony across India’s borders. “Sarhad sees the proposal for a Maharashtra Bhavan in Kashmir as a significant step towards strengthening ties between the two states,” said Sanjay Nahar, Founder President of Sarhad.
He said the CM had recently called him to discuss the matter of constructing Maharashtra Bhavan in Jammu and Kashmir, while informing him about his meeting Lt Governor of Kashmir on the issue.
“I am delighted to share that Zahid Bhat, a Kashmiri associated with Sarhad, has already offered his own land in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, to make the Maharashtra Bhavan,” said Nahar, adding that the state government should take up Bhat’s offer instead of seeking land from J&K administration.
He said, “Sarhad expresses its longstanding demand to the state government to construct a J&K Bhavan in Pune. Such a facility would greatly benefit students from the northern-most state, enabling them to access educational opportunities in Maharashtra. Sarhad firmly believes the establishment of a J&K Bhavan in Pune will further strengthen bonds between the two states, facilitating mutual understanding and growth. The NGO appeals to the state government to allot Sarhad a suitable plot to develop the J&K Bhavan in Pune. ”
The PMC acknowledged that there has been a discussion on Sarhad’s demand. “The demand was expressed and discussed in a meeting at Sarhad chaired by Guardian minister Chandrakant Patil. But I am not aware of PMC’s role in it as of now,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Vikas Dhakne.
In a written communication to J&K Lt Governor which was shared with Sarhad, the CM said, “In the time since abrogation of Article 370, we have witnessed admirable progress in Kashmir under guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your able leadership. Development of the region brings an ideal opportunity for greater integration between our states.”