The speakers at the awareness programme organized by J&K Yateem Foundation Unit Bandipora highlighted the need to synergize the experiences of senior citizens and the talent and energy of youths to evolve vibrant, responsible and productive social structure for the overall good of society.

The speakers also called upon people to pool all types of resources to strengthen initiatives for the welfare and rehabilitation of orphans, widows and downtrodden irrespective of belonging to any class.

 These assertions were highlighted during an awareness programme titled “Face to Face: Senior Citizens & Youth—Buzarg Shakhsiyat Aur Naujawan—Roo Baroo” at the Town Hall here today.

 The programme threw light on various issues concerning both the age groups of people in order to abridge the generation gap for overall family and social harmony and development.

 Chief Guest and senior citizen Prof Ghulam Ahmad Zargar in his presidential address called upon youths and senior citizen parents to evolve open, respectable and fair communication mechanism so that the communication gaps could be abridged to remove confusions and misunderstandings.

He said members of both age groups must complement each other and pool their energies for overall good of the society. He stressed upon old aged parents to develop trust and faith in youths so that they could become responsible and independent in their lives. Prof Zargar also enjoined upon youths not to betray the trust of their elders and avoid any such situation that may bring bad name and disrepute to their parents’ name and family’s reputation. 

Another senior citizen and retired Head master Mohammad Kamaluddin urged all sections of people particularly teacher community to understand their responsibilities towards the society. He said there is urgent need of more positive initiatives.

 Dr Ashiq Hussain, Assistant Prof Govt Degree College Bandipora, blamed use of computer and internet technology and its applications like internet, WhatsApp and facebook etc for creating apparent gaps and distance between parents or elders and the younger generation.

He said the younger generation should not be pushed to the wall as they require latest information and communication technologies to pursue their education and career. However, he urged youths to follow the highest ideals of morality and sober cultural ethos of Kashmir.

Mohammad Amin Bhat, JKYF District Representative of Pulwama district highlighted the need to understand the importance of all good deeds as part of muslim faith. He urged cross section particularly youths to fulfill their responsibility to serve the society in a sincere and result oriented spirit by following the footprints of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) only to seek pleasure of Almighty Allah.

Urging senior citizens to be empathetic towards younger generation, Mohammad Sulaiman Gurezi, Teacher appealed youths to respect the elders and senior citizens and benefit from their rich life experiences.

Grand Imam of Jamia Masjid Bandipora Moulana Khursheed Anwar Nadvi appreciated the JKYF Bandipora unit’s initiatives and social work. He said the solution to all issues and problems lies in the teachings of Qur’an and Hadith.  

 Several members from audience also presented their observations regarding the theme and overall social service sector.

 JKYF film titled “Ehsaas e Shafaqat—Together with Orphans, Widows and Destitute”  and ‘Taran-i-Baitul Hilal’ (Baitul Hilal anthem) were screened during the programme.

Earlier, students of Nadim Memorial Higher Secondary School, Bandipora Mohammad Muzaffar and Shahid Shafi presented holy Qur’an and Naat.

Guest