SRINAGAR: Governor N N Vohra as also senior cabinet ministers on Wednesday visited Mata Kheer Bhawani Shrine, one by one, to take stock of arrangements ahead of the annual congregation of Kashmiri Pandits on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami.
According to official handouts, Governor NN Vohra visited Mata Kheer Bhawani Shrine at Tulmulla and prayed for the peace and well being of the people of the State. He extended his greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandits, on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami.
B.B. Vyas, Chief Secretary; Baseer Ahmed Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Tariq Hussain Ganai, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal; Fayaz Ahmad Lone, SSP Ganderbal, representatives of the Dharmarth Trust and several members of the Kashmiri Pandit community received the Governor on his arrival at the Shrine.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh separately directed the officers to synergize their efforts to ensure smooth conduct of ensuing Kheer Bhawani Mela, maintaining that it is one of the most important religious festivals of Kashmiri Pandits.
The Deputy Chief Minister was interacting with officers during his review meeting to oversee the arrangements being put in place for the ensuing Mela Kheer Bhawani. Dr Singh said such festive occasions exhibit brotherhood and communal harmony among the people of Kashmir and provide an opportunity to bridge the gap among different geographic regions of the State. He said the State is known for its pluralistic character and mutual brotherhood among different sections of the society.
Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga, Vice Chairman JKPCC Khalid Jehangir, DC Ganderbal, SSP Ganderbal and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Senior PDP cabinet minister incharge of Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Abdul Rehman Veeri along with a team of senior officers visited Kheer Bhawani and also took stock of the arrangements being made for smooth conduct of ensuing Mela. Minister of Public Works Naeem Akhtar also visited Kheer Bhawani Shrine Tullamulla to take stock of arrangements being made on the eve of annual Mela Kheer Bhawani.
The Minister reviewed various facilities made for the pilgrims and also interacted with the visiting Pandits. The Minister appealed the Pandits to visit the shrine enmasse to revive the age old brotherhood. He said that local Muslims are waiting to welcome their brothers in Tullamulla.
Later, Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, too visited the historic Kheer Bhawani shrine to oversee the arrangements being put in place for the smooth conduct of the annual mela.
While directing the officers to ensure that the devotees coming to pay their obeisance are provided with the necessary requisite facilities, the Advisor said that a fool proof mechanism should be put in place to ensure smooth conduct of this mela.
Prof. Mattoo also directed for early completion of the STP being constructed there. He said that the STP is pivotal for maintaining fragile ecological set up of the area. He also announced an additionality of Rs. 25 lakh for the same on behalf of the Chief Minister.