Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 14: All India Devotional Song Competition as a part of Navratra Festival began this evening at Yog Ashram Complex by lighting a traditional lamp by Yog Acharya Swami Yoga Nand Ji Maharaj in presence of president and chairman, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra, Rakesh Wazir and Shyam Lal Kesar, respectively, besides other district officers.
In the preliminary round of competition, Yasir Hussain from Punjab took 1st position and Sandeep Singh from Ransoo 2nd while the 3rd position was shared jointly by Mavish Sharma and Varsha Jamwal from Jammu and Suresh Kumar from Udhampur. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners were provided with the cash prizes of Rs 5000, Rs 3000 and Rs 2,000 (jointly to all 3rd position holders), respectively.
The competition was adjudged by the panels of experts in music including Brij Mohan, a leading Music Composer, Dr Usha Bhagati, Ex-HoD Music and Pt Subash Ghosh from West Bengal, senior disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, a great Saroad Maestro.
The grand finale of the competition will be held on October 21 and the winner will be awarded with Rs 2 Lakh and a recording contract with Venus Records & Tapes Ltd.
The proceeding of competition was conducted by Rakesh Wazir, who is also the chairman of the competition besides member, Navratra Festival Committee.
The competition is being organized by SMVD Shrine Board and Department of J&K Tourism with active support of India News, Mh Shardha, Zee PHH, Zee Anmol, 92.7 Big FM, J&K Bank, Nidesh Builders Pvt Ltd Jammu, District Administration, Katra Municipality and the local host community.
Moreover, contestants who stood 1st in the preliminary round will directly join the Grand Finale on October 21 and 2nd and 3rd position holders will again contest among themselves in semi final on October 20 to qualify for Grand Finale.
It is worthwhile to mention here that entries of the preliminary rounds are open and participants can enroll themselves by visiting Tourist Office Katra or through phone numbers 01991-232005 and 233301.
Meanwhile, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta took part in the Shobha Yatra organized on the occasion of Navrata Festival at Katra, the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
Gupta who was the chief guest on the occasion lighted the sacred Jyoti at Asia Chowk here this evening.
Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker reiterated the Government’s resolve to provide best of the facilities to the devotees paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine. He sought cooperation of the public in making the traditional event a great success.
MLA Reasi Ajay Nanda, senior officers of police and civil administration, members of Navratra Celebration Committee, prominent citizens and a large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
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