‘Hails swift restoration efforts post-snowfall’
TDD Correspondent
Srinagar, (TDD) Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, today announced that next December 5 will be a public holiday to commemorate the anniversary of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the founder of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
This declaration is part of ongoing efforts to honor the immense contributions of Sheikh Abdullah to the political and social fabric of the region.
Wani assured the public that there would be no cause for disappointment, emphasizing that the holiday would serve as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the iconic leader, who played a key role in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s political history.
Speaking on behalf of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Wani also lauded the swift restoration efforts that followed recent disruptions caused by heavy snowfall in the region. For the first time in history, essential services such as electricity and roads were restored with remarkable speed—a feat largely credited to the active involvement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“The Chief Minister personally stationed himself in the affected areas, continuously monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates to ensure rapid recovery,” Wani noted. “This swift restoration has been highly praised by the public, reflecting our commitment to their welfare and our ability to address challenges promptly.”
The restoration of essential services, which had often been delayed in similar situations in the past, has become a source of pride for local residents. Wani further emphasized that the government’s quick response ensured a recovery process that was more efficient than ever before.
“The restoration of electricity and roads was completed in record time—something we’ve never witnessed before. For the first time, we’ve seen such swift recovery, and the people are deeply appreciative of these efforts,” Wani added.
However, despite Wani’s firm statement that December 5 would be a public holiday to commemorate Sheikh Abdullah’s anniversary, the official holiday list released by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2024 does not include December 5 as a designated holiday. This omission has caused confusion and disappointment among the public, who had been looking forward to the holiday based on Wani’s earlier statement.
The announcement of December 5 as a holiday to honor Sheikh Abdullah’s legacy was seen as a significant step toward preserving his contributions, but the absence of the holiday from the official list has raised questions about its official recognition.
“Inshallah, next December 5 will be a holiday,” Wani had previously affirmed, expressing confidence in the government’s dedication to honoring Sheikh Abdullah’s lasting impact. However, as the LG’s holiday list remains unchanged, the public now awaits clarification on whether the holiday will be formally acknowledged (TDD)