Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra on Thursday said despite unrest and odds, the state's youth had proved their brilliance in various fields.
"As we have seen for ourselves in the past few years, despite the severe constraints arising from recurring spells of disruption and disorder, our youth has been doing very well in almost every arena," Vohra said while addressing the Republic Day function here.
Vohra hoisted the national flag and took salute at an impressive parade at the Maulana Azad Stadium here.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, our greatest strength is our youth who comprise almost half of our population.
"Besides excelling in studies and winning awards and national fellowships, a growing number of our students have been gaining high positions in All India Services, central services, defence, central police forces and other services."
Vohra praised actress Zaira Wasim.
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He expressed his unhappines over the loss of lives during last year's unrest in the Kashmir Valley and said the protests were only hurting the wheels of progress.
"The prolonged disturbance in the valley last summer resulted in large human losses and an unprecedented number of security force personnel were injured. I share the grief of all those who have lost their dear ones.
"The hartals (protests) which extended from week to week caused large economic losses and particularly severe hardships for daily wage earners.
"The violent demonstrators burnt several dozen schools and set ablaze government offices, police stations and private properties.
"The disturbances caused irreparable damage to the functioning of the educational system. The studies of over 14 lakh school going children and nearly a lakh college and university students were disrupted," he said.
Vohra said Pakistan since its creation had been trying to grab Kashmir by force.
He asked all stakeholders to come together and work for reconciliation and peace in the region.
--IANS
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