Rajouri :Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the arrangements for the upcoming Tribal Folk Festival scheduled to be held at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) Rajouri on March 28, 2026.
During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on various aspects to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the festival, which aims to showcase the rich tribal culture, heritage and traditions of the region.
It was informed that students who emerged as the best performers in the Talent Hunt Competition organized under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative will participate in the festival and present cultural items.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments to make comprehensive arrangements for setting up tribal art and craft stalls, traditional food stalls and sales points for tribal products through Self Help Groups (SHGs). He emphasized promoting local artisans and providing a platform for showcasing indigenous products.
The meeting also discussed the display of traditional tribal games, exhibitions highlighting tribal welfare schemes and displays depicting tribal heritage. It was further decided that the general public should be encouraged to participate in the festival to make it a vibrant and inclusive event.
The DC further directed for organizing photography and painting exhibitions portraying tribal culture and lifestyle. Skits reflecting tribal traditions and social themes will also be staged to add cultural value to the event.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed upon all officers to work in close coordination and ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place well in advance for the successful conduct of the festival.
Among others, District Social Welfare Officer Abdul Raheem; Associate Professor BGSBU Sunil Gupta; Chief Education Officer Mohd Hafeez; District Culture Officer, Alamdaar Adam and other district and sectoral officers attended the meeting
Abhishek Sharma inaugurates 3-day Mobile Passport Van Service Camp in Rajouri
K H News Service
Rajouri | March, 24: As part of the ongoing Public Outreach Programme aimed at improving citizen service delivery, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) Jammu under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India Tuesday launched a three-day Mobile Passport Van Service Camp at the DC Office Complex, Rajouri.Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma formally inaugurated the camp.
Interacting with media persons on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner urged the residents of Rajouri district to avail themselves of the facility by booking appointments through the official website, www.passportindia.gov.in. He informed that applicants are required to select the slot for the Mobile Passport Van service which will remain stationed at the DC Office Complex Rajouri from March 24 to March 26, 2026.
The Deputy Commissioner appreciated the initiative taken by RPO Jammu, led by Rajesh Kumar and his team for extending the facility to the people of the district. He called upon the public, especially those from hilly and far-flung areas to make full use of the camp. He added that such initiatives play a crucial role in bringing government services closer to the people and strengthening citizen-centric governance.
He also expressed gratitude to the Regional Passport Office Jammu and the Ministry of External Affairs for organizing the Mobile Passport Van Service Camp in Rajouri and lauded their efforts towards promoting doorstep service delivery. The outreach initiative has been undertaken in collaboration with the District Administration Rajouri.
Speaking on the occasion, Section Officer/OSD, RPO Jammu Sunil K. Khar informed that the Mobile Passport Van Camp has been organized to ease the heavy rush of applicants at the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) Rajouri. He highlighted that there has been a significant increase in the number of applicants from the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch and in view of the existing appointment cycle at POPSK Rajouri, this special initiative has been introduced.
He further informed that considering the growing demand, the RPO Jammu is planning to establish an additional counter at POPSK Rajouri from April 2026 to further streamline passport services in the district.
The Mobile Passport Van is fully equipped with facilities for biometric enrolment and on-site document verification, ensuring convenience, transparency and efficiency for applicants.
The citizen-friendly initiative is expected to significantly enhance accessibility, save time and make passport services more efficient, particularly for residents living in remote and underserved areas.
Among others present on the occasion were Chief Planning Officer Maqsood Ahmad; Deputy District Election Officer, Qadeer-Ul-Rehman; Naib Tehsildar, DSEO, Sandeep Sharma; Election NT, Surjeet Singh and Section Officer/OSD, MEA, Government of India Sunil K. Khar.
