Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 29: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Jammu and Kashmir is known for its glorious culture and heritage, adding that every citizens has onerous responsibility to preserve this.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering, after witnessing a cultural bonanza organized by the artists of Cultural Wing of State Information Department at Dussehra Ground in Gandhi Nagar, in connection with ongoing Jammu Festival here today.
Director Tourism Soujanya Sharma, Joint Director Information, Smita Sethi, Deputy Director Information Public Relations Jyoti Rani Salathia besides eminent personalities, Dogri, Kashmiri and Ladakhi music lovers and people in large numbers were present on the occasion.
The main objective of the two-hour long musical programme was to educate the people about culture and heritage of the State.
The Minister said that aim to organize such festival in the Jammu city is to attract pilgrims and tourists from different parts of the country. He said Jammu region has emerged as a premier location for the pilgrim tourism.
Mr. Bhalla asked the Director Tourism to arrange such type of functions in rural as well as remote areas of the State. He highlighted the importance of the ancient sites of Jammu and said present Government is making all out efforts to showcase the Jammu region as leisure and heritage tourists’ destination. He said that through such festivals, Jammu would be introduced as a major heritage tourist destination in the global tourism market to attract high-end tourists and boost local economy.
Mr. Bhalla said that with the increase in tourist influx, J&K was fast recapturing its position as the most favoured tourism destination among national as well as foreign tourist. He said tourism is contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of the State.
Earlier, the artists included Jeevan Sharma, Vijay Anand, Sunil Kumar, Surjit Singh Sumbaria, Amit Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and Balbir Singh of Cultural Wing of State Information Department presented Dogri cultural items.
Meanwhile, Mr Bhalla addressed a huge gathering at Bhour Camp W. No. 2.
Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma and Sarpanch Halqa Bhour West Amrit Bali were also present on the occasion.
For facilitating the people of Bhour Camp and its adjoining areas, the Minister said that a Primary Health Centre costing Rs. 2 crore is nearing completion in the area, adding that after its inauguration local people will get adequate healthcare facility at their door step.
Mr. Bhalla further informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 80 lakh for installation of digital X-ray machine. He said Union Health Ministry has released Rs. 52 crore for construction of 100-beded hospital at Gangyal.
Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma while elaborating the achievements of UPA Government asked the Panchayat members to link the people with development schemes.
He asked the party workers to gear up for the forthcoming challenges and make the people aware about the pro people initiatives of the present Coalition Government. In this regard, he referred to Food Security, Protection for the street vendors and Land reform bills etc.
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