SRINAGAR, Jun 30: Gandhi Global Family J&K, in collaboration with Care Foundation Srinagar, presented the Iqbal Mir Memorial Awards at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, in a solemn ceremony honouring outstanding contributions to social service, education, literature, environmental conservation and humanitarian work.
Late Mohammad Iqbal Mir of Nishat, Srinagar, served the Jammu & Kashmir Government in several key positions, including Protocol Officer, Joint Director Hospitality & Protocol, and Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Srinagar. During the militancy of the 1990s, he played a pivotal role in facilitating the national peace initiative led by Dr. Nirmala Deshpande by arranging accommodation and logistical support for peace volunteers. A committed Gandhian, Shri Mir dedicated his life to promoting peace, communal harmony, national integration and the welfare of marginalized communities until he passed away while in service.
To commemorate his legacy, Gandhi Global Family J&K instituted the Iqbal Mir Memorial Awards in 2010. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, awards for six consecutive years (2019–2024) were presented together during the ceremony.
The awards were presented by Chief Guest B.M. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in the presence of Dr. S.P. Varma, President, Gandhi Global Family J&K and a distinguished gathering comprising civil society members, social activists, awardees and citizens.
The Iqbal Mir Memorial Awards for 2019–2024 were conferred upon Sheikh Firdous of Rehmat-ul-Lil-Aalameen Foundation, Mr. Umer Wani of We The Helping Hand Foundation, Vandana Daftari, Regional Director, Art of Living, Khalida Hanjoora, educationist and scholar, Peerzadi Masrat, writer and author and Dr. A. Tahir, Chairman, Wings Welfare Society.
On the occasion, Farooq Geelani, retired Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, was felicitated for his contribution to environmental conservation, while Kiran Wattal, President, Mata Kheer Bhawani Yatri Welfare Society, was honoured for her sustained commitment to social service.
Addressing the gathering, B.M. Sharma paid rich tributes to the late Iqbal Mir, describing him as a rare blend of administrative excellence and human compassion. He said Mir demonstrated that a public servant can serve as a bridge-builder even in the most challenging circumstances and observed that true governance is rooted in service to the people rather than the exercise of authority. He added that such memorial initiatives inspire the younger generation to embrace Gandhian values of non-violence, empathy and selfless service, which remain highly relevant for the future of Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Wattal recalled that Iqbal Mir steadfastly upheld Gandhian ideals during some of Kashmir’s most difficult years and urged the youth to choose compassion over conflict. Dr. Mehjabeen Nabi, Chairperson, Care Foundation Srinagar, appreciated the initiative of Gandhi Global Family J&K and said that Mir’s life of selfless service should continue to inspire all those engaged in social work.
Among others who addressed the gathering were G.D. Shamim, Dr. Malik Jan, Er. Bhupinder Singh Sodhi, Coordinator, Kashmir, S. Jaswinder Singh Kuku, Altaf Dar, Coordinator, Srinagar, and Noor-ul-Amin, General Secretary, Gandhi Global Family J&K. They commended the organisation for preserving the Gandhian tradition of service and for recognising the invaluable contributions of unsung heroes of the Valley.
The vote of thanks was presented by Altaf Dar, Coordinator, Srinagar, Gandhi Global Family Kashmir.
The programme concluded as a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Shri Mohammad Iqbal Mir, reaffirming his lifelong belief that true success lies not in position or power, but in selfless service to humanity.