SRINAGAR (TIP): President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday that people of Jammu and Kashmir did have grievances, and these needed “deft handling and speedy resolution”.

“I am aware there are grievances. Many important issues need deft handing and speedy resolution,” he said at the convocation address at the Kashmir University. “The government of India and the state government are determined to ensure that every Kashmiri lives with dignity, having equal rights and equal opportunities,” he added.

The President said he looked upon the youth of Kashmir to forge the future of India in every field. “The India of tomorrow achieved through inclusive growth offers enormous opportunities for the youth of Kashmir,” he said.

He described Kashmir as the “Sharda Peeth”, the seat of learning in ancient times. “This beautiful valley has nursed in its lap great men of letters, poets and patrons of learning. The IT revolution has brought infinite opportunities. It has greatly facilitated us in offering a modern, progressive and relevant education to our students,” he said.

‘The government of India, in its 12th Five Year Plan, has a well defined strategy to achieve this. It includes expansion of infrastructure with regional equity,’ he said.

Mukherjee laid stress on collaboration and linkages between premier institutions of higher learning in India and abroad.

He said that given its beauty and grandeur, there was an all important need to preserve Jammu and Kashmir’s ecology and environment. ‘While I am among the bright young people here today, I would like to highlight the relevance and need for greater tolerance in the society,’ he emphasised.

It was Mukherjee’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after becoming the President in July.