Capt hosts lunch for Kashmiri students

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 12

With an aim to make Kashmiri students feel at home on Eid, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today hosted them for lunch.

Around 125 students from various universities of Punjab had a taste of the love that the Chief Minister, along with several of his Cabinet colleagues, decided to shower on them to mark their auspicious festival.

Assuring them that he was confident things would improve soon in Kashmir, the Chief Minister greeted the youngsters with best wishes for normalcy soon. “We cannot replace your families, but I hope you consider us as your family too,” he told the students, assuring them of their safety and security in Punjab. Though he had not been to Kashmir for a long time, he considered the beautiful Valley his second home, said the CM, adding, it was his heartfelt desire to share the happiness of this festival with the students. He reassured them that he was confident their families back home would also be well and safe, and they would be able to meet soon.

The students said they too considered Punjab their second home, where they had always felt safe, even after the Pulwama attack. “We have seen that Punjabis have a big heart,” quipped Faiq Salem, while another thanked Captain Amarinder for hearing their voice.

“Coming here today reminds us of our families,” said Farzana Hafeez, another student, admitting that till they received the invitation, they had been feeling very lonely at the thought of not being home for Eid.

As a memento of their love and respect, the students presented to the Chief Minister a portrait sketched by Abdul Azad, a fine arts Kashmiri student from Chandigarh University. Captain Amarinder gave sweets to the students to celebrate the occasion. Kashmiri students of Chandigarh University, Gharuan; CGC Jhanjheri and Landran, Chitkara University, SVIET University, Banur; CT University, Ludhiana; Lovely University and SWIFT College, Rajpura; attended the event.

Cabinet ministers Brahm Mohindra and Balbir Singh Sidhu were also present.