Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday hosted 125Kashmiri students from across the state for lunch at Punjab Bhavan on theoccasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

 “We cannot replaceyour families but I hope you consider us as your family too,” he told thestudents, who could not go home to the Valley to celebrate the festival. Heassured them that they had nothing to fear in Punjab.The Chief Minister said hewas confident that the situation in the Valley would improve soon. Singh saidthat though he had not visited Kashmir in a long time, he considered it hissecond home. He added that it was his wish to share the happiness of thisfestival with the students. Reassuring them, he said he was confident thattheir families were safe back home and that they would be able to meet soon. ReciprocatingSingh’s sentiments, many said that they too considered Punjab their second homeand that they had always felt safe there. “We have seen that Punjabis have abig heart,” said a student, Faiq Salem, while another thanked the ChiefMinister for hearing their voice.

“Coming here today reminds us of our families,” said FarzanaHafeez, another student, adding that till they received the invitation, theyhad been feeling lonely at the thought of not being home for Eid.