Srinagar, Apr 12: The Kashmiri Pandit community living in the Valley today celebrated Ramnavmi, the birthday of Lord Ram, with tradition fervor and gaiety.
 'Pooja' (prayers) was held in temples across the Valley.
 The largest number of Hindus had gathered at Ramji Mandir in Barbarshah area of the city where Hindu Welfare Society, a body representing non-migrant Kashmiri pundits, had organized the Pooja.
 The Society reiterated its demands including special employment package for Kashmiri Pandit youth, who have not migrated outside the Valley.
 They sought temporary accommodation for the 64 internally dislocated families till their permanent rehabilitation.
 The society demanded that the State Assembly pass the Hindu Temples and Shrines bill to safeguard the religious properties from encroachments and to carry out renovation and repair works of these places.
 Currently there are 651 families with of population of 2,764 Kashmiri Pandits staying in and outside Srinagar. The Government figures put the number of families staying in and outside Srinagar around at 808.

DR FAROOQ VISITS NAGDANDI 
 Meanwhile, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah also visited Nagdandi Achabal to felicitate Kashmiri Pandits who had come to attend a function at Nagdandi.
 Dr Farooq on this occasion prayed for peace and tranquility in the state. He also prayed for the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST