Srinagar, June 24 (Scoop News) – The Governor, N. N. Vohra, today called upon all the stakeholders and the people at large to join hands for ensuring lasting peace and strengthening communal harmony and brotherhood to restore the past glory of the State as an abode of peace and tranquility. 
The Governor was addressing a large number of Office-bearers and Executive Committee members of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation from the Kashmir Valley who called on him at Raj Bhavan today. 
The Governor observed that sustained normalcy and peace is pre-requisite for progress and prosperity, adding that everything possible needs to be done to restore sustained peace and tranquility in the State. He said that we have suffered a heavy loss of life and property due to the situation obtaining in the State during the past over two decades. While referring to the situation during the last three summers in the Kashmir Valley, he observed that not only the process of development and implementation of welfare schemes was impeded but, much worse, the severe disruption of the educational schedules most adversely affected the careers of students. He said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are highly talented and given the enabling environment they can excel in their chosen fields of activity and contribute to the rapid growth and development of the State. 
The Governor mentioned about the very high potential which the State possesses in agriculture and other sectors of economy, adding that we can only optimally benefit from this inherent strength and natural resources, provided there is sustained peace and normalcy. He said that it was therefore necessary that all of us should contribute to secure the objective of peace and harmony so that Jammu and Kashmir becomes a frontline developed State in the coming years. 
The Governor congratulated Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation and all those associated with this movement, for joining the laudable initiative of spreading the message of peace and harmony. He emphasized the need for organizing peace conferences at the district, tehsil and village levels in the near future so that the message of peace reaches every nook and corner of the State. 

The Governor released a book titled, “Phool Khila Kashmir Ka”, on this occasion, written by Gazi Ghulam Nabi, a peace activist. 
The Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, who is the Patron of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, said that the State has had high traditions of communal harmony and brotherhood. He said that after partition of the country in 1947 when the entire sub-continent was in the grip of communal frenzy, it was only in Jammu and Kashmir State that Mahatma Gandhi had seen a ray of hope. He said that we have always believed in the spirit of reconciliation and accommodation. 

The Director Information, Kh. Farooq Renzushah, who is the Chief Advisor of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, said that all the Sufis and Saints have given the message of peace and harmony. He said that Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA), Hazrat Amir Kabir (RA) and several Sufi Saints have imbibed strong spirit of humanity in all of us and we have to project the entire State as epitome of humanity. 
The President, Women Wing of the Foundation, Mst. Shahzadi Simon, called upon all the activists of the organization to reach out to everyone in all the areas to spread the message of peace. 
Qazi Amanullah, President, Ulmah Forum of the Foundation, stressed the need for restoring glorious traditions of Kashmiriyat and strengthening peace, communal harmony and brotherhood. 
S. S. Bali, Vice President, Minority Forum and Father Khanna, Executive Member of the Foundation, in their speeches highlighted the need for spreading the peace message. 

Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, J&K Peace Foundation, in his welcome address, gave details of the activities of the Foundation undertaken in the recent past and its future roadmap. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the activities of the Foundation aimed at restoration of lasting peace, harmony, amity and brotherhood in the State. 
Rtn. Asrar Sultanpuri, Media Advisor of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Foundation, presented a Vote of Thanks. 
The Principal Secretary to the Governor, R. K. Goyal was present on the occasion.