Jammu/April,13: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh inaugurated four day Jammu Mahotsav- 2017 at MAM Stadium here Thursday.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat, Minister of State for Education and Tourism, Priya Sethi, Members of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma and Shamsher Singh Manhas, MLC Ramesh Arora, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, Secretary Tourism Farooq A Shah, senior political leader Yudhvir Sethi besides many prominent citizens and government functionaries were present on the occasion.
The Mahotsav was opened among grand fanfare and massive local participation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh appreciated the efforts of Tourism and Information Departments for organizing this grand event that celebrates Jammu and its colorful rich culture, dance, music, food, vibrant costumes and beautiful handicrafts.
He said this festival will put the region’s cultural diversity on display for national and international tourist fraternity and put out a strong message of varied multi-faceted activities available in the state for the visitors.
He further said this will not only launch Jammu as an independent tourist destination but open employment avenues for the people of the state.
Dr Singh urged the public to come be a part of the Jammu Mahotsav and said ‘any festival, celebration is incomplete without participation from the people’.
Priya Sethi said with active encouragement and guidance from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, all departments are working in cohesion and collaborating to undertake this feat and organize Jammu Mahotsav on a grand scale in the state’s winter capital.
She said multiple events are being organized simultaneously encompassing a number of areas that will help mobilize the tourists to various destinations in Jammu besides giving locals especially youngsters a taste of their culture, traditions and heritage.
The launch of Jammu Mahotsav was marked by multiple cultural presentations depicting Dogra, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Pahari, Ladakhi culture, Lazer show besides an enthralling performance by Lakhwinder Wadali. Multiple stalls have been put up in the MAM stadium that depicts the crafts and trades that are important markers for identity of region.
Stalls include representation and live demonstration of Basholi Painting, glass painting, fulkari, pottery making, besides depiction of lives of the common folk from all regions of the state. A special stall was also set up dedicated to the rich dogra food.
Various departments participating in the event include Directorate of a Technical education, Department of Ecology, environment and remote sensing, Department of Horticulture, Floriculture, handicrafts among others.
