JAMMU: The Legislative Assembly today paid rich tributes to former Legislator and Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, who passed away today. While informing the House, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Qamar Ali Akhoon, describing his passing as an irreparable loss to the people of Kargil and to public in general.

Paying homage to the departed leader, the Speaker remembered him as a saintly and compassionate personality who dedicated his entire life to public service. Born on 15th August, 1957 in Sangrah Kargil, Akhoon emerged as a prominent voice of the region and represented aspirations of the people with sincerity, humility and unwavering commitment.

The Speaker recalled that Qamar Ali Akhoon was first elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 1987. He was re-elected in 1996 and was subsequently inducted as Minister of State for Works and Power, where he worked tirelessly to strengthen infrastructure and improve essential services in the region.

Highlighting his continued contribution to grassroots governance, the Speaker noted that in 2002 he was elected unopposed Councillor and later became Chairperson of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil. The late leader played a crucial role in advancing development initiatives and strengthening local self-governance in Kargil.

In 2008, he was once again elected to the Legislative Assembly and was appointed Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Transport. In these capacities, he was known for his administrative acumen, accessibility and people-centric approach.

The Speaker described Akhoon as an astute and articulate politician whose wit, intelligence and persuasive abilities earned him respect across party lines. He was widely regarded as a man of integrity and honesty who led a simple life, remained deeply connected to the grassroots and served the people selflessly without accumulating personal wealth or property.

Calling his demise a personal loss, the Speaker said that Ladakh has lost one of its most dedicated sons, whose contributions to public service and regional development will be remembered for generations to come. The Speaker conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. Later, as a mark of respect to the departed leader, the members of the House observed a two minute silence in memory of Qamar Ali Akhoon.

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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