Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 13: Nikhil Majotra of Jammu bagged prestigious first prize in the Mega Final of All India Devotional Song Competition (AIDSC) organized during Navratra Festival, which concluded here. However, Chaman Lehri of Reasi and Yasir Hussain of Jammu clinched second and third positions respectively.
On the occasion, Minister for Tourism GA Mir was the chief guest, who gave away Rs 1 lakh prize money in the shape of “Gold” to Nikhil and cheques worth Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000 were also awarded to Chaman Lehri and Yasir Hussain in presence of Additional Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Tourism Soujanya Sharma, Additional SP Katra Pawan Parihar, members of Navratra Festival Celebration Committee, including Shiv Kumar Sharma, Sham Lal Kesar, Sardari Lal Dubey, RS Manhas, citizens, large number of local populace and pilgrims.
In addition to the “Gold” worth Rs 1 lakh, Nikhil also got the recording contract with Venus Records and Tapes Limited.
The performance of the 14 finalists in the Mega Final was judged by noted Bollywood personalities including Actor Aftab Shivdasani, Managing Director of Venus Records and Tapes Limited Ganesh Jain, Trade Analyst and Producer Vikas Mohan, Ramesh Turani Managing Director Tips Industries and Chief Executive Officer Zee Jagran, Barkha Arora.
On the occasion, special guests and winners of previous contests Mool Raj, Sanjeet Kumar, Sonali Dogra and Ravi Kumar presented melodious Bhajans in the obeisance of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
While speaking, Minister GA Mir said that the annual festival is gaining prominence at national and even international level besides providing a platform to the budding artists to show their talent.
As a result, many artists especially the winners of previous All India Devotional Song Contests are proving their worth in the film industry also, he added.
He said that the presence of Bollywood personalities would help the budding talent to get inspiration and excel in the field of music.
Mir announced that from next year the prize money for the winner would be Rs 2 lakh and if the winner would be female then prize money would be Rs 3 lakh so that more and more women take part in these types of events.
Mandeep K Bhandari while speaking said that the coordinated and sincere efforts put in by the different agencies especially the people of Katra the festival has achieved excellence in every field and was recognized as festival of culture, traditions, talent and harmony.
While speaking, Actor Aftab Shivdasani expressed concern over the low participation of the females in the competition. He said that, out of 14 finalists, only one female candidate qualified for the Mega Finals.
Shivdasani asked the organizers to make best efforts to increase the number of female participants in the competition.
Aftab said that this competition is no way less than any other event of the country.
Rakesh Wazir, Chairman, AIDSC conducted the proceedings of the programme.
Earlier, Tourism Minister flanked by other dignitaries flagged off colorful procession with jhankies depicting the rich culture heritage of the State.
The competition is being organized by Department of Tourism and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Katra with active support of Zee News, Zee Jagran, MH Shardha, Big 92.7 FM, J&K Bank, Nidheesh Builders Private Limited, Jai Mata Di Sewa Sangh Prasadhi, Civil Defence, District Administration, Katra Municipality and local host community.
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