Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 29: In a historic initiative, the Rustam Battalion of the Indian Army, operating under the Pir Panjal Brigade of the Dagger Division, joined forces with local residents to host the very first ‘Jashn-e-Rustam’ cultural festival near the Line of Control (LoC) in Nambla, Uri.
The event was conceived as an expression of gratitude towards the steadfast support provided by the local community, and it underscored the theme of “Jawan Aur Awam – Saath Saath” (Soldiers and Civilians – Together as One).
The festival aimed to foster stronger bonds between the military and civilians by spotlighting the untapped tourism potential of border regions and offering a platform for local artists to showcase their talents.
“This marks the pioneering instance of a festival being conducted in close proximity to the LoC, drawing an impressive crowd of around 15,000 attendees, including both local residents and visitors,” organizers shared.
The Rustam festival unfolded in an area that once served as an Indian Army firing range, frequently subjected to cross-border shelling. Locals emphasized that this event became possible following an agreement between the Indian and Pakistani armies to uphold a ceasefire along the LoC.
The festivities featured remarkable performances by acclaimed artists such as Tariq Pardesi, Masarat Naaz, Yemberzal Cultural Group, Kohinoor Band Baramulla, Raja Bilal, Shahi Mumtaz, Team 360 (Uri), Safri Farooq, and the versatile band led by Aijaz Bhat, AGS Boniyar, in addition to several participating schools.
Adding to the occasion’s allure was the presence of Bollywood actor of Kashmiri origin, Mateena Rajput. The event was a collaborative effort with the Srinagar unit of All India Radio (AIR).
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