Greater Kashmir: Srinagar: Monday,
December 12, 2016.
Government of
India has turned down the recommendation of J&K government to rechristen
Srinagar International Airport as Sheikh-ul-Aalam International Airport,
reveals information sought under Right to Information Act (RTI).
Airport
Authority of India, in its reply to information sought by information seeker,
Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura, has said that it is understood that the name of
Srinagar International Airport was recommended as Sheikh-ul-Aalam International
Airport by J&K government to Government of India (Ministry of Civil
Aviation). “But as per information available the same has not been agreed to.
In aerodrome Committee, Chairperson Tariq Hamid Qarra (Former) MP Srinagar
again advised State Authority to represent the case to Central Government on
May 1, 2016,” it said.
The
information reveals that no international flight takes off from the airport
except Hajj flights.
“It is true
that Srinagar airport is a Srinagar international airport and only Hajj
international flights are operating. All infrastructures required to operate
international flight is available, but as reported by airlines due to low
traffic operation is not economically viable,” it said.
It added that
being a hyper sensitive airport and situation in Kashmir visitor gallery is not
available at airport hence visitors are not allowed to enter.
It said that
total land of airport authority of India is fully under control of airports
authority of India and is being utilized.
“Srinagar
Airport is a civil enclave runway and other land is available with IAF. It is
true that during peak hours there is some congestion in the terminal building
and authority has taken a decision to expand the terminal building from 10000
square metres to 33000 square metres,” it said.
Sheikh
Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA), also known as Sheikh Noor ud-Din Noorani(RA) Nund Rish,
is regarded as a Kashmiri mystic regarded as the patron saint. He is respected by all in Kashmir including
Muslims, Hindus and other religions.
Nund Rishi
was born in a village called Qaimoh (old name Katimusha) in Kulgam district in
south Kashmir.
His life has
impressed the Kashmiri people. The Afghan governor, Ata Muhammad Khan, gave, as
it were, expression to public sentiment when coins were struck by him in the
name of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA), in 1223-25 AH.
He used his
poetry as tool to spread the knowledge of absolute.
One of his
most famous and often quoted couplets is Ann Poshi Teleh Yeleh Wann Posh"
(Food will last as long as forests will last).
His sayings
are preserved in the Nur-nama, commonly available in Kashmir. The Nur-nama also
describes the life of the saint. It was written by Baba Nasib-ud-din Ghazi in
Persian about two centuries after the death of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din (RA).
.JPG)
.JPG)
