Excelsior Correspondent
Katra, Oct 2: Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi along with Minister of State for Finance, Planning, IT, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Tribal Affairs, Labour and Employment, Relief and rehabilitation, Ajay Nanda today inaugurated the 21st Navratra Festival at Katra.
After inaugurating the festival, Ministers participated in the magnificent Shobha Yatra, taken out from Asia Crossing depicting rich cultural heritage of the State which culminated at Bus Stand Katra.
Speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi said that Navratra festival is a beautiful amalgam of devotion and festivities which reflects the rich heritage and composite culture of the State on national platform.
While highlighting the major initiatives underway in the tourist sector which shall promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination, Priya Sethi said that Rs. 400 crore have been earmarked for development of various tourist circuits in the area. She said that Mantalai Spiritual Centre is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore and is expected to be completed within next two years. Similarly steps are afoot to explore tourism sites in Reasi and promote it as an adventure tourist destination along with an important pilgrimage.
Emphasizing on promoting tourism in the Jammu region, she said that Katra is among one of the ten cities which have been declared as icon cities in India and concerted efforts are being made to attract more tourists to this city. Priya further said that multi-pronged approach needs to be followed by involving stake holders to ensure holistic development of the area.
Stressing on Swachh Bharat Mission, she urged the people to keep their surroundings clean and fulfill the dream of Mahatma Gandhi. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, she added and exhorted that we all should make collaborative efforts towards the mission of our Prime minister towards a clean and green India.
Speaking on the occasion, MoS Finance and Planning emphasized on the development of infrastructure at Katra and asked the concerned to work in tandem with the Shrine Board to improve facilities in Katra town . He also sought cooperation from the people of Katra in maintaining cleanliness and said that Reasi is the focal point of tourist activities in the State and steps are afoot to promote infrastructural facilities to give a fillip to the tourism sector which is the backbone of our economy.
Earlier, in his welcome address Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal said that this year we are celebrating 21st Navratra festival and it has assumed great significance as this mega event explicitly showcases our rich composite culture and heritage .
He said this year the funding for the festival has been enhanced to Rs. 50 lakh and with the active partaking of various stakeholders the festival shall attract tourists in large number.
More than 20 Jhankis were taken out during the Shobha Yatra today and various artists from Himachal Pradesh , Uttarakhand and other States besides local artists participated in the cultural procession. The main attraction of the programme was the Kud Dance which is a famous dance form of Chenab valley region and performed by the locals to mark the celebrations of harvesting.
Among others, IGP Danish Rana , CEO SMVDSB, Katra Ajit Kumar Sahu, Director Tourism Sushma Chouhan, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Ravinder Kumar,Director Local Bodies Soujanya Sharma, , SSP Sujit Kumar, ADC Shiv Kumar Gupta, Joint Director Vishesh Mahajan, Deputy Director Tourism Er. S.K. Attri, SDM Katra Neelam Khajuria besides other district officers and prominent citizens, artists were present on the occasion.
The annual nine-day Navratra Festival at holy town Katra would be offering a series of events including Kavi Sammelan, Bhagwat Katha, Hasya Vyang (Laughter Show), Cultural Programmes by Song & Drama Division of GOI, Wrestling Competition,Talent Show by differently abled children, shows by Natrang and All India Devotional Song Competion for the visitors till its culmination on 10th October.
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