National Conference President, Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited the grave of Madar-e-Maharban Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah at Hazratbal here and offered floral tributes and fateh, on her 20th death anniversary.
On the occasion, they also offered floral tributes and fateh at the final resting place of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
A statement said the party’s Additional General Secretary, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal was also present. Owing to COVID19 health advisories and protocol, the party had decided not to have any congregation usually held in connection with the annual death anniversary observance of Madr-e-Meharbaan.
In his message, Abdullah said her contribution in the field of children education, women emancipation and tribal welfare was unparalleled till this day.
“An affectionate mother, she was a constant pillar of strength for the entire family, particularly when our father faced penitentiary and confinement. Politics for her was a medium to serve people; her brand of politics was shorn of regional and religious prejudices. She purposefully held that the idea of progress is senseless unless humanity is liberated from the shackles of poverty and that medium of democracy was the effective weapon to achieve that end,” Abdullah said.
Omar while paying tributes to Madr-e-Meharbaan said she was always concerned about welfare of people.
“She held that people are the real fountain head of power in any working democracy and that it was the prime duty of the political class in their capacity as the servants of people to ensure their all round development and progress,” he said.
While extolling her contribution towards welfare of children, women and tribal, he said establishment of Gujjar & Bakkarwal Advisory Board, mobile schools and dispensaries for the tribals, strengthening Red Cross society and establishment of Miskeen Bagh education and crafts training center for women speaks volumes about her vision.
Later, senior party leaders including Muhammad Akbar Lone, Muhammad Syed Akhoon Peer Afaq Ahmed and Sabiya Qadri, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Ghulam Rasool Sofi, GN Tailbali and Saleem Akhoon also visited the graveyard to offer their floral tributes.
Meanwhile the party’s parent body, YNC, women’s wing functionaries, Kargil, Pir Panchal and Chenab valley units also paid tributes to Madr-e-Meharbaan.
A commemorative function was also held at party headquarters in Jammu where floral tributes were paid to Madr-e-Mehrban.
Meanwhile, in a message, provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana paid tributes to Madr-e-Mehrban, saying her role in socio-political empowerment of people in general and women literacy in particular will continue to inspire generations to work for betterment of J&K.