Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Minister of State for Education, Culture and Tourism, Priya Sethi said that the Government is taking revolutionary initiatives to bring transformation in culture sector with an endeavour to develop Jammu and Kashmir as a centre of Cultural Tourism.
The Minister was speaking during inaugural ceremony of the 2-day Vasant Utsav organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages Jammu (JKAACL) to celebrate Vasant Panchami at Abhinav Theatre here where she was present as a Chief Guest.
A musical evening marked the beginning of the celebrations with celebrity artists performing on the first day followed by the culmination ceremony with a musical programme by the legendary artists of the State.
During her address, the Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir is a unique bouquet of diverse culture and has a great potential to be developed as a hub for the cultural activities.
“Culture Department headed by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is resolute to bring reformative changes in the culture sector and in doing so several significant initiatives have been taken by the Government to enhance Culture Tourism in the State”, the Minister affirmed.
She further added that the CM is lending her full support to every initiative taken for promoting the rich culture and heritage of the State. Priya asked the artists to utilize their talent and skills to promote and showcase J&K’s rich culture and contribute in boosting State’s tourism.
Stressing on importance of nurturing the local talent, the Minister maintained that it is imperative that the artists who are the flag bearers of rich cultural heritage of the State are supported and the Government is resolute to work towards economic self-reliance of the artists to bring significant financial returns for artists and cultural practitioners.
Priya called for creating more platforms to promote local talent and further stressed on the need for skill development to produce more local content.
She asked the Academy to collaborate with schools and colleges for organizing programmes aiming at promoting the art and culture of the State. The Minister also assured that Government will consider providing additional funds to the Academy for organizing more cultural events.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary JKAACL, Dr Aziz Hajini informed that the International Mother Tongue Day to be observed on 21st February will be celebrated with festivity by the Academy for 3 days across the State with more than 1000 artists from and outside the State coming together to mark the celebrations.
Additional Secretary, JKAACL, Dr Arvinder Singh Amn congratulated the artists, singers, musicians and the functionaries of the Academy for the successful culmination of the event.
Renowned artists who mesmerized the audience with their melodious voices were Jeevan Sharma, Indu Bala, Sham Sajan, Suraj Singh, Vishal Gupta, Deepali Wattal, Jasmeet Kour, Subhash Langeh, Sonali Dogra, Sargam Sharma, Bhanu Langeh, Satinder Kumar, Sahil Gutkar and Veedhi Jaswal.
They were equally supported by the musicians Vicky Gill, Chandan Kumar & Krishan Kumar (Synth), Sahil Jasotra & Vijay Anand (Dholk), Joginder Pal, Darbari Lal and Parshotam (Tabla), Rakesh Kumar (Octopad), Jascob & Vikas Nagar (Guitar) and Rakesh Anand (Flute). Asst. Cultural Officer, JKAACL, Bishan Dass was the coordinator for the event whereas the proceedings were conducted by Bindiya Tikoo and Mitali Gupta.
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