Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 26: Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today called for preserving and showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of Jammu to make it a favoured destination in the world of tourism.
Speaking at the beginning of Sham-i- Ghazal organized by the Tourism Department at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium at Jammu University in connection with the weeklong Jammu Festival 2013, Mr. Rather said Jammu has its distinct and peculiar traditions and ethos which are unparalleled and need to be preserved for the posterity as well as promoting cultural and heritage tourism in the State.
The Minister said that the people of Jammu are secular by nature and have a true human heart which they have proved in the most difficult and testing times in 1990 when they received the turmoil hit brethren of Kashmir Valley with love and passion and provided every possible assistance to them in the hour of need. “This exemplary gesture of Jammuities has become a golden chapter of the State’s history”, Mr. Rather added
Mr. Rather also called for preservation and promotion of art and culture of the State, adding that artists want to be heard and their work recognized which was imperative for their encouragement. He lauded the Tourism Department and sponsors of the Jammu Festival-2013 especially Sham-i-Gazal programme and hoped that the mega event will go a long way in making Jammu -the City of Temples- a famous and most favoured tourist destination.
The reputed singers present heart-throbbing Gazals which enthralled the jam-packed auditorium.
Indu Bala from Bhaderwah also called as mini Kashmir, presented a mesmerizing Gazal : Darad Jab Teri Ada Hay To Gilla Kis Say Karoon
Hijer Jab Tooney Diya Hay To Gilla Kis Say Karoon. Another singer presented a Gazal:
Teri Yaad Ka Suraj Chamka Neend Na Aaye Sari Raat
To Kya Yeney Kiss Halat Mian Humney Bitaie Sari Raat
The Director Tourism Soujanya Kumar Sharma in his welcome address gave details about various programmes being organized in connection with on-going Jammu Festival 2013.
Former Union Minister and MLA, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta and a large number of writers, artists and senior citizens were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a scintillating cultural bonanza was organized by artists of cultural wing of State Information Department in Dewan-e-Aam premises at Mubarak Mandi.
On the occasion, Joint Director of Information, Smita Sethi was the chief guest.
Deputy Directors Jyoti Rani Salathia, Afshan Masood, Cultural Officer Raman Joshi besides other senior officers, officials including people of City of Temples in large numbers were present on the occasion.
The artist who performed on the occasion were Jeevan Sharma, Vijay Anand, Sunil Kumar, Surjit Singh Sumbaria, Kamal Kumar, Amit Kumar, Balbir Kumar and Rakesh Kumar.
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