Jammu, Jun 2: Epitomising the essence of spirituality and Kashmiriyat, which delineate ìreal Kashmirî and its natives, irrespective of religion, a magnificent ìSai Mandirî will soon come up in paradise on earth.
ìIt has been planned as a symbol of inclusivity by Sai Mandir Sansthan,î shares Firdous Baba, founder president of Kashmir Sewa Sangh (KSS), who has been appointed as one of the trustees of Sai Mandir Sansthan, for the project in Kashmir.
Project has been shaped, its contours have been finalised and now we are in search of a suitable land to translate them on the ground, he explains while speaking to Greater Kashmir over the phone.
How this project has been conceived, in response to this query, Firdous Baba points out, ìThis is an initiative of Kashmir Sewa Sangh, which always talks about inclusivity, communal harmony and compassion ñ underlining the spirit of Kashmir since ages. Through this project, we want to convey and spread this message across the country.î
According to him, Sai Mandir Sansthan, Gujarat has appointed two trustees to realise this project in Kashmir. ìBesides me, Geeta Shroff will be another trustee. KSS has been working in Kashmir for the last 4 years on unity. The main objective is to give an idea that delineates Kashmiriyat and Kashmiri and bring it to the fore for the entire country and the world to allay fears, hatred and misconceptions. See, a small section of the (Kashmir) society would have indulged in a hate-soaked narrative promoting violence and dividing society. But that should not define the majority section, which is rooted in the philosophy of compassion and communal amity. We want to bring to the fore this reality,î he asserts.
Firdous Baba says that this thought has inspired them to take the initiative. ìWe all, including Geeta Shroff, who is a social initiator from Gujarat and Acharya Sham Suresh, president of Sai Mandir Sansthan, decided to give this thought a shape for Kashmir and hence this project was planned,î he adds.
This project, according to Firdous Baba, will not only be restricted to the construction of ìSai Mandirî, the complex will have a charitable hospital; education institute; library; gym and langar (free community meals) facility which will be run throughout the year.
ìAnyone, irrespective of religion, caste or creed, can come and enjoy these facilities. More facilities will be included in the second and third phase,î shares Firdous Baba, who hails from Downtown Srinagar and has been working for strengthening health care, and women empowerment also as a social activist for the last 15 years.
His Kashmir Sewa Sangh also collaborates with several prominent members of civil society and NGOs working in the Kashmir region.
He says that many local Kashmiri Muslims are also coming forward to support his works and initiatives.
With regard to land for the project, Firdous Baba says that, to begin with, ìSai Mandir Sansthanî will work from his KSS office at Baagaat.
ìSome persons approached us offering us land for the project. I returned from Surat just yesterday only. This ìSai Mandirî will come up in Kashmir, however, we have not decided about the district where it will be constructed. In a few days, these issues too will be sorted out. After Eid, we will hold a press conference. It is hoped that the land issue too will be finalised by then. Letís see. In a day or two, we are going to constitute a committee which will look into all aspects related to this project,î he shares.
