Srinagar: Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi today said there was a need to shed the bias against the people of Kashmir and northeast India to give the youth from these places a chance to connect with their counterparts in rest of the country.
"We say that we are ready to go to war but would never let anyone take our land as Kashmir is ours. We have raised this slogan of 'Kashmir hamara hai' (Kashmir is ours) so many times. When will we raise the slogan of 'Kashmiri hamare hai' (Kashmiris are ours)? When will we shed that bias? When would we say that the people of northeast are ours? It is not a matter of land but people.
"And when the people of Kashmir also shed that bias, then there will be a chance to be one and a connection will be created among the youth of the country," Oberoi told reporters here. The 38-year-old 'Masti' actor said the people of Kashmir have gone through a lot of anger and pain and time has come for a change.
"There has been enough of anger and pain. It is time for change and positive change, so that this place will blossom once again into what it was famous for," he said.
Oberoi, who is here on a two-day visit for relief work, said he wanted to help the people affected by the floods that created havoc in the state in September.
"I always wanted to visit Kashmir but in happier times. Unfortunately, the floods hit the state and seeing the destruction caused by it, I thought it was time to help.
"I will try my best to help the people in any way I can. I will organise fund-raisers and I appeal to my friends and fans to contribute towards helping the people here," he said.
The actor, who is currently shooting for Yash Raj Films' 'Bank Chor' along with Riteish Deshmukh, said he was waiting for the assembly elections in the state to get over so that he can think of helping the people here in more ways.
"I am waiting for the elections to get over and for a new development-oriented government to take guard here which has a vision for development. If that happens, I will surely think of a lot of ways to help the affected people, like adopting a village completely destroyed by the floods," he said.
As part of his efforts to help the flood victims, the actor distributed winter-sets, comprising of bedding items and other things to the affected people.
