STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, under the visionary leadership of Secretary Tourism, J&K, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, orchestrated a grand Folk Festival Cum Cultural Bonanza at Central Park, Bahu Plaza, Jammu on Saturday.
This vibrant event, held as part of the ongoing Navratra celebration, was a celebration of cultural exchange and unity in diversity.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, Chief Guest of the event, lauded the Tourism Department for their impeccable orchestration of the gala event.
He extended warm Navratra greetings to all attendees, emphasizing the cultural significance of this auspicious occasion within Jammu’s vibrant tapestry.
His commendation for the event’s flawless organization was entwined with his enthusiastic hope for the future, anticipating more such cultural gatherings that would continue to enhance unity in diversity in the city of Jammu.
The venue exuded a festive atmosphere, with traditional welcomes set to the rhythmic beats of Dhols and a soul-soothing Ganesh Vandana performance.
Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekanand Rai, extended his warm and heartfelt Navratra greetings to the people of Jammu. He emphasized the crucial role of events like this as they provide a common ground for cultural exchange among diverse regions, fostering strong bonds of unity, brotherhood, and communal harmony.
Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director Tourism, emphasized the department’s unyielding dedication to boosting public participation and shining a spotlight on hidden talents. She also underscored that this year’s Navratra celebrations extended beyond Katra, encompassing Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, and Kathua, where the splendid Basohli Utsav took center stage.
This event celebrated the major art, culture, and traditions of Jammu and Kashmir, including the renowned Basohli paintings, the captivating Ramleela performances and the exquisite craftsmanship of traditional shawls.
The event showcased various performances, including Ganesh Vandana and Mata ki Bhaint. The Open MIC platform provided a stage for local emerging talents to captivate the audience with their songs and dance performances, showcasing the region’s abundant talent. The highlight of the festival was a scintillating Kud dance performance, a local Dogri folk dance, which left the audience mesmerized.
In the evening, local artists, including Saras Bharti, Sonali Dogra, Ravi Raghuvanshi, Sourav Shivalaya and artists from Tanseen Sangeet Vidayala, delivered high-energy Dandiya-Garba performances.
The enthusiastic audience joined in the celebratory atmosphere with the combined rhythms of Kud and Dandiya beats setting the tone for Navratra festivities. The audience lauded the department’s efforts in organizing such a grand event during Navratras.
Shilpa Thakur, STATE TIMES photo-journalist won the first prize in the Tourism Wildlife Photography Competition which is a significant achievement. She not only received a cash award of Rs 5,000 but also a citation and certificate from Joint Director Tourism Sunaina Sharma Mehta, along with other dignitaries. It is worth noting that Shilpa Thakur had previously received an award for her best photography from the Press Club of Jammu. This recognition reflected her talent and dedication as photo journalist.
The Tourism Department also felicitated the winners of the online competition, My Favorite Tourist Destination of Jammu Division, which received an overwhelming response from enthusiasts, underscoring the department’s commitment to engaging the public and promoting unexplored tourist destinations in the Jammu region.
The event also featured an LED screen showcasing Jammu’s tourist destinations, providing a visual treat for travel enthusiasts.
The event was attended by Amit Sharma, Joint Commissioner GST, Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity), Neha Mahajan, Deputy Director Planning, Sugandhi Banotra, Assistant Director Tourism Jammu, Arif Lone, Assistant Director Tourism NHW Batote/Katra, Capt. Anil Gour, President Travels Association of Jammu, Rajendar Sharma, General Secretary TAAJ, Sanjay Gupta, Dalbir Sharma, Executive members TAAJ, other distinguished guests and officials from the Tourism Department.
In addition, the seventh day of the Navratra festival was celebrated with immense enthusiasm in Katra. The day began with Prabhat Pheris in the morning, followed by Bhagwat Katha, Mata ki Kahani, Shobha Yatra, an All India devotional song competition, and a cultural and multimedia exhibition presented by the artists from the Central Bureau of Communications and many others.