DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
jammu, Nov 15
The Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (Regd) a Non-Governmental Organisation working for the Tribals of J&K for the last Three decades celebrated “Janjatiya Gourav Divas” (Tribal Pride Day) at Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Jammu today on 15th November 2024.
The Programme was organized under the Chairmanship of Mr. Arshad Ali Choudhary Chairman GDCT, wherein Jb. Zafar Iqbal Choudhary renowned Journalist & analyst & Dr. Javaid Rahi, a renowned scholar and Secretary Kala Kendra Society were the Guests of Honour on the occasion.
In the welcome Address General Secretary GDCT Er. M. Sadiq Azad requested the Chairman GDCT to preside over the function & warmly welcomed the Guests of Honour, Distinguished guests, Trustees, Community Members, Media Persons, Prominent Personalities belonging to Gujjar Community and different social organisations, G&B Students from Jammu University and P.G. Hostels, Students and Staff of Brig. K. B. Public School & other dignitaries who attended the celebration, including Advocate Shah Mohd Chowdhary Former Chairman of the Trust, Dr. Shouket Mehmood Chowdhary Sr. Vice Chairman, Er. Arafat Masud Vice Chairman, Jb. Bashir Ahmed Noon Financial Advisor, Jb. Iftikhar Hussain Chouhan Director KBPS, Mr. Asif Khaliq Poswal Secretary, Mr. Shoukat Javed Chairman Culture & Language Committee, Master Hasham Ali Patron and former Chairman GDCT, Ch. Saleem Mohammad Rtd. IAS, Jb. Mohammad Hanief Chouhan Patron, Er. Nazir Choudhary, Er. Ghulam Rasool, Er. Khursheed ul Islam, Jb. Bashir Ahmed Khatana, Jb. Hamid Hussain Choudhary, Mr. Mohammad Yousuf Khepar Sr. Trustee, Adv. Mohammad Anwar Chowdhary Sr. Trustee, Adv. Aslam Khan, Mr. Mohammad Aslam Gheghi, Er. Mohd Rafiq Khan, Mtr. Farida Javed, Mtr. Naseem Akhter, Dr. Najma Choudhary & Mr. Tariq Abrar all the Trustees and other Prominent Community Members namely Ch. Zakir Chechi, Ch. Balouch Chechi, Ali Mohammad Chechi, Dr. Saghir Ahmed, Hidayat Ullah, Haji Bhutto Khan, Haji Noor Ahmed Khatana, Karamat Ali, Safeer Choudhary, Aamir Choudhary, Saqib Choudhary etc.
Rich Tributes were paid by Sr. Trustees Bashir Ahmed Noon & Adv. Shah Mohammad Chowdhary to Sh. Birsa Munda on his 150th Birth Anniversary, who was born on November 15, 1875 in Ulihatu village in Jharkhand. He belonged to Munda Tribe, an indigenous Tribal Community in the Chota Nagpur Plateau but his life changed drastically when the British Colonial Policies forced displacement of Munda Tribe from their lands and were forced to work as bonded labourers by the exploitative landlords. The Munda Tribals were oppressed and marginalized in their own homeland. Birsa Munda raised the voice against this oppression and the Birsa Movement called “Ulgulan” started for the Soico-Economic, Religious and Cultural emancipation of the Tribal People. Birsa Munda was arrested in 1895 for inciting Tribal rebellion but was soon released. He was once again arrested in 1900 & was sadly died under mysterious circumstances in British custody at the age of 25 on June 9, 1900.
During the Celebration different items of Gojri Culture & Education were presented like Gojri Bait by Mr. Azad Ahmed Azad, Ms Zakriya Bano Student of P.G Hostel Jammu highlighted the issues of Tribal Women, their issues and challenges. Mohammad Sajid P.G. Deptt. of Urdu (JU) emphasized on Tribal Schemes and its implementation. Mohammad Imran Student of Boys P.G. Hostel Jammu highlighted the issues of Tribal Youth.
Dr. Javaid Rahi informed the guests about the Tribal Identity & Various developmental Schemes of Govt. & highlighted the Tribal Issues during the function & The audience present in the Hall were fully entertained & impressed by the performances of participants & the performers were appreciated with loud clappings. Zafar Iqbal Choudhary Sr. Journalist in his speech lauded the role of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust in the field of Socio-Economic particularly in promoting the education among Tribals, preserving their rich culture & suggested various measures for the improvement of Gojri Language & Culture. He also put stress on providing proper health education to Tribals & their women. Lastly, he expressed his gratitude for the Gujjar Bakarwal Community for their lifetime struggle and paid rich Tributes to Founder GDCT Baba-e-Qoum Dr. Masud Choudhary for his remarkable contribution for upliftment of the Community.
Chairman GDCT Mr. Arshad Ali Choudhary in his presidential address highlighted the role of Birsa Munda Tribal Freedom Fighter for awakening entire generation of Tribals to stand against injustice and fight for their rights and preserve their culture. He also remembered Baba-e-Qoum Dr. Masud Choudhary on this Occasion for his lifelong struggle to uplift the Gujjar Bakerwal Tribal Community Socio-economically.
, educationally, Culturally & also highlighted the role of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust in the service of the Community during last 32 years & thanked all the Guests, Participants, Media Persons, Trustees & Staff for sparing their valuable time & making this programme a great success.
The Chairman GDCT presented individual Mementos to the Guest of Honours & participating students including Shahida Khanam from Bandipora for their services for the welfare of Gujjar & Bakerwal Community.
Mr. Tariq Abrar Trustee presented Vote of Thanks & the proceedings of the programme were conducted by General Secretary Er. M. Sadiq Azad & Mtr. Naseem Akhter.
