Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today stated that the vision of Dr Masud Ahmed Choudhary transcended narrow identities and parochial politics, advocating for creation of a just and inclusive society. He was speaking during a seminar titled "Inclusive Approach to the Tribal Identity of Jammu and Kashmir - A Tribute Honouring the Life and Legacy of Dr Masud Ahmed Choudhary", organised by the Centre of Excellence for Tribal Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
Rana, who was special guest on the occasion, said that Dr Choudhary was an embodiment of a fight against the narrow politics of caste and tribe. "He strived all his life to build an inclusive society free from caste, class, ethnic and religious discrimination based on equality and fraternity.
He was an outstanding leader and a staunch crusader for the rights of down-trodden and backward sections of the society", maintained the Minister. The Minister, while paying tributes to the legend, remembered Dr. Choudhary as a guiding force and a visionary who worked with conviction and dedication all his life for the upliftment of the marginalized.
"He fought for his people and his community to make their dream of living with dignity, a reality. We are indebted to his service for shaping our understanding of the past, present and future," he said while expressing gratitude to the JNU for hosting the seminar.
Calling him an icon of social reform and education, Rana said that it would be a befitting tribute to carry forward the legacy of a personality who played a pivotal role in founding institutions like Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) and Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) that are positively impacting thousands of lives.
Highlighting the contributions of Masud Choudhary, Rana said that he founded the GDCT and published the magazine 'Awaz e Gujjar' to raise social and educational awareness. "GDCT serves as a museum and archive of the Gujjar and Bakarwal community in Jammu and Kashmir.
At a time of vehement modernisation of life and culture of traditional tribes, the trust is one of the rare private and community-led initiatives to preserve our shared and collective heritage," he said. Rana impressed upon the audience that in contemporary times, when people are increasingly divided based on their identity, caste, region, ethnicity, it becomes incumbent upon us to collectively fight the evils and wrongs ailing our society.
Rana said that the philosophy and life of Dr Choudhary is a profile of courage and conviction, whose work and commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes, spanned over five decades and extended into multiple fields.
During the seminar, speakers including Member of Parliament, Ghulam Ali Khatana besides the Professors, paid rich tributes to Dr Choudhary and described him as a scholar par excellence, able administrator having high literary ability who created a sense of self respect, importance and confidence in the weaker sections of the society.