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'She was a symbol of hope for the down-trodden'

D D Thakur

A member of Sheikh Abdullah's cabinet for nine years pays tribute to Madre Meherban, Begum Abdullah, who passed into the ages on Tuesday.

Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah was a very unique person. I had the opportunity to see her from very close quarters for almost nine years when I was a minister in Sheikh Abdullah's cabinet. I would meet her almost every day. I would also accompany her on tours to various parts of the state.

She was the chairperson of a number of organisations and many people would come to her with their problems. I would help her in finding solutions to their problems. She wanted me to go along with her on tour because I was minister of planning. She was very kind-hearted and would be deeply moved while listening to people's problems. Sometimes she even shed tears.

The backward classes were close to her heart. Especially the Bakarwals. She started a home for girls called Maskin near Maskin Bagh. She also initiated a large number of activities in the state.

She was very nice and kind to me. In fact, she was kind to anyone who visited or met her. The people of Kashmir have lost a great person in her death. In fact, the Kashmiris have lost a kind mother.

She was a great, very affectionate hostess. Long before I became a member of Sheikh Abdullah's cabinet, I had the occasion to meet her while she was camping in the Chasme-e-Shahi guesthouse. I was also staying there. She was so affectionate that I will never forget the meeting for the rest of my life.

One remarkable thing about her was that she would not generally interfere with the running of the government. If problems were brought to her notice she would call me up and tell me the problem. She would also call other ministers concerned and consult them.

She was ready to sacrifice anything for her husband. When he was arrested she would visit jail almost every day. She was at his beck and call. Even after Sheikh Abdullah became chief minister of the state again in 1975, she continued to share the problems of the people and tried to solve them. She contributed a lot to the welfare of the people.

She was widely respected. Even Indira Gandhi had a great regard for her. There was hardly a person who did not show respect to Begum Abdullah. She was respected not because she was the chief minister's wife, but because of her own qualities.

I came in contact with her in 1974 after I was included in the state cabinet. What struck me immediately was her sense of involvement in the welfare of the people. She always spoke about the problems of the people, particularly the backward classes, who did not have access to the seat of power. That way she became a symbol of the hopes and aspirations of the down-trodden.

She was the last of the stalwarts after Sheikhsahib. She will be remembered for a long time. Her role as member of Parliament, her contribution to sustain Sheikhsahib's movement in Kashmir will go down in history.

As told to Onkar Singh

EARLIER REPORTS:
NC meet put off as Farooq Abdullah's mother dies
Vajpayee, Advani to attend funeral

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