PAMPORE, August 02: The Gandhi Global Family on Saturday organized a heartfelt commemorative programme at Gandhi Ashram PMTC/KVIB Pampore to mark a day of historical and emotional significance. August 2, 2025, commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to the Gandhi Ashram at Drangbal, Pampore, on the same date in 1947. Coincidentally, the date also marks the birth anniversary of the late G.M. Pampori, a respected and dedicated member of the Gandhi Global Family.
The event was graced by the presence of Padma Shri Dr. S.P. Verma, President of Gandhi Global Family J&K, along with Vice Presidents Mehjabeen Nabi Bhat, SP G.M. Dar, Kashmir General Secretary Malik Amin, and members including Roma Wani, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Faisal, and Parveena, among others.
Floral tributes were offered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and participants paid rich homage to his timeless values and legacy, which continue to inspire generations across the world.
A significant portion of the event was devoted to remembering the late Ghulam Muhammad Bhat Pampori, a deeply committed member of the Gandhi Global Family Pampore, who passed away on July 17 this year due to cardiac arrest.
Speakers reflected on his lifelong commitment to Gandhian values, describing him as a true disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and a beacon of his mission in contemporary times.
Among other notable attendees were BJP Mahila Morcha State Vice President Babita Bhat, Advocate Nadeem Qadri, G.M. Bhat, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, staff members of PMTC/KVIC, school students, and other dignitaries. All joined in paying homage and recognizing the invaluable contributions of G.M. Pampori.
The programme served as a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and to those who have worked tirelessly to uphold and spread his message at the grassroots level.
Speaking to Morning Kashmir, Padma Shri Dr. S.P. Verma, President of the Gandhi Global Family (J&K), shared that 78 years ago in 1947, when India had not yet gained independence, Mahatma Gandhi visited Gandhi Ashram in Pampore. He had traveled from Rawalpindi to Srinagar, passed through Pampore, and then went to Banihal, Jammu, and eventually returned to Rawalpindi. These are the historical footprints of Gandhi Ji’s journey, and today marks our first commemorative program at the Gandhi Ashram in Pampore—where Gandhi Ji had taken a rest during his visit.
Today, members of the Gandhi Global Family, local community members, school students, and staff of the Gandhi Ashram came together for a meaningful program to remember Gandhi Ji and his companions—many of whom are no longer with us. We paid tribute to them and reflected on the fact that the spirit of peace still prevails beneath this Chinar tree.
We are passing on this message to the next generation so they understand and carry forward the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and our local heroes. Though we may not have fully achieved the vision of peace that Gandhi Ji envisioned and certified, we want to give our children the responsibility to work for it—and perhaps turn this land into a paradise. We have made a sincere effort to follow in the footsteps of Gandhi Ji and his companions.
“I remember the last time I came here G.M. Pampori Sahib was with us. Wherever we went, he was always by our side. He made the name of Pampore widely known and proudly carried ‘Pampori’ as part of his name. Wherever he went, he was known for his straightforward nature. He passed away recently, and today we also paid tribute to him. His family was invited here, and we had the opportunity to meet and interact with them.”
