STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Days after separatist groups invited tourists to the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday called upon the people of the country to visit the state and enjoy its hospitality, saying that it was the safest place in the world for tourists.
“Jammu and Kashmir is the safest place not only in the country but the whole world for tourists and especially for women. You can move around here without any fear even during nights and nothing untoward will happen to you,” Mehbooba said while speaking at a function here.
She said that women face many hardships in other places in the country but her government would not let them face any hardships here.
“We get to know what happens to women in broad daylight in other places, compared to that women can come here either by themselves or in groups. We will take good care of them and would not let them face any hardship,” she said.
The chief minister said that her government would offer exciting packages to the tourists and invited them to visit the state along with their families.
“The atmosphere here is also very good, the place is picturesque and then snowfall is in the offing and I would like to invite all the people of the country to visit Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality.
“Kashmir is calling you all. We will offer exciting packages. We will organize a snow festival at Gulmarg in January, so I request the people of the country to visit Kashmir along with their children,” she said.
Mehbooba’s invite comes days after separatists made an appeal to tourists to visit the Valley, saying tourists and pilgrims from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir were most welcome.
“From centuries, Kashmiris have been safeguarding and providing exemplary hospitality and safety to tourists and Yatris from the world, including India, as we have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests by our great religion.
“Tourists and Yartris from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir are most welcome,” the separatists said in a statement on December 6.
Since the agitation broke out in July, tourism-related activities have come to a standstill in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the government would take all necessary measures to provide facilities of recreation and adventure to children and youth.
Addressing a gathering here after inaugurating a Water Sports festival, the Chief Minister said she earnestly desires to see the innocent smile back on the face of every child in the state like in any other civilized society.
She said that her government was taking necessary steps in this regard.
The chief minister expressed hope that such events and festivals would not only boost the confidence and morale of the state’s young generation but also groom out of them responsible citizens of future.
She said the youth of the state have made us proud time and again and there was a need to channelize their energies in the positive direction.
On the occasion, Mehbooba announced setting up of a Water Sports Training School at Srinagar.
She hoped that with the setting up of the school, the adventure and sports qualities among the youth would be further polished and honed.
She directed involving the children of Dal and Nigeen areas while imparting training in water sports.
On the occasion, the chief minister also felicitated many young boys and girls who had performed well at the sports festivals.
At another function after laying foundation stone of the corporate office of J-K Cable Car Corporation here this afternoon, the chief minister asked the people to rise and guard the interests of the state.
She said the residents of the state have to show the way to peace, development and prosperity.
“The people of the state have to create an atmosphere which can lead to friendship, amity and goodwill between the two neighbouring countries.
“It is only a peaceful atmosphere which can pave the way for betterment of relations, resolution of issues and frequent interactions across the borders,” she said.
Terming tourism as a means of integrating people, Mehbooba said she plans to make Srinagar a tourist destination itself rather than a transit point for tourists, as presently it is.
She said many tourist development projects have been taken up in the city which include development of old city as a heritage destination, development of water transport across the city, introducing para-gliding facilities at Harwan and many other facilities.
The Chief Minister said she has plans of making a large park at Tattoo Ground, and many other parks in the city to decongest it and provide a recreational space to its inhabitants.
She, however, regretted that the government could not get much time this year to translate these plans into concrete action, and made an appeal to the people to help in maintaining peace so that the developmental activities aimed at their welfare were completed.
