Srinagar November 12 : In a remarkable gesture of communal harmony, a Muslim resident from Teetwal in north Kashmir’s Karnah sector has donated a piece of land for the construction of a toilet block at the revered Sharda Temple and Gurdwara complex located near the Line of Control.
As per KNS, Ghyasuddin, a local resident, has gifted one marla of land free of cost for the facility, aimed at easing hardships faced by devotees and visitors at the historic site. The land documents were formally handed over by Ajaz Khan, a community coordinator from Teetwal, during an event organized by the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) in New Delhi.
Expressing gratitude, Ravinder Pandita, President of AIKS, said, “We are thankful to the donor for this noble gesture. The contribution reflects true Kashmiriyat and strengthens inter-community bonds. The construction of the toilet block will finally address a long-pending issue that the authorities could not resolve for the past three years.”
The upcoming facility will be built by the Save Sharda Committee (Regd), which manages both the Sharda Temple and the Sikh Gurdwara at Teetwal the northernmost tip of India along the LoC. The site has witnessed a steady flow of pilgrims and yatris in recent years.
Ajaz Khan, who coordinated the land donation, has been actively involved in facilitating pilgrim movements and liaising between the Army, civil administration, and temple committee. He has earlier overseen the management of over 10,000 pilgrims, including around 2,000 Kashmiri Pandits, during past yatras and has ensured the temple’s functioning even during cross-border firing incidents.
During the felicitation event in New Delhi, AIKS honored Ajaz Khan and his wife Nasreen with a shawl and memento for their role in the Sharda Mission. Prominent intellectual and researcher Sushil Pandit also commended the initiative, calling it “a symbol of hope and unity” in Kashmir’s social fabric.
AIKS office bearers including Arun Shali, Rajinder Premi, Ajay Pandita, Ashish Zutshi, and Kusum Shishoo were present on the occasion.(KNS)
