Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 21: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla today pitched for the promotion of religious tourism in Jammu region during a bhandara at Preet Nagar here.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said all religions and religious preachers stand for love, amity and selfless service but their teachings are alarmingly falling silent in the din of hate and greed. “To eschew these tendencies, there is immense need of generating awareness about the unity and diversity as professed by religious scholars and sages from time to time”, he maintained.
He said that best way of celebrating the occasion is to take a pledge to follow teachings of Great saints in letter and spirit and work for building a society based on the natural principles of social justice, equality, compassion, love and togetherness.
“There is need to follow teachings of the sacred books which have inspired the generations and helped in transforming the society, making it conducive for various communities, irrespective of cast, creed and colour”, he added.
Bhalla further said tourism has been well recognized as an Industry and as such it will have to be managed accordingly. If it is properly managed, it has vast potential of employment both directly and indirectly.
There is no doubt that Kashmir has remained famous as a paradise on the planet earth since time immemorial. However, it is not only the Valley of Kashmir alone, which fascinates the tourists/visitors, but the Jammu region also has a tremendous scope of religious tourism which needed greater attention to it.
“There is lot of scope of religious tourism in Jammu region and greater attention should be given to it. Development of Parks, Picnic spots, creation of wayside facilities and landscaping also require to be taken up on a large scale by the development authorities wherever it becomes necessary”, he narrated.
Former Minister, however, maintained that BJP Government failed to expedite the developmental issues of the pilgrim places and time bound completion of various infrastructural works so that the devotees coming here to pay their obeisance get the requisite facilities.
He regretted that the major development projects of Jammu including Artificial Tawi Lake and Barrage Project, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Project, Jambu Zoo Project, Cable Car Project, Jammu Smart City Project, Development of Tawi Banks on Sabarmati pattern, New Medical Colleges, AIIMS Project etc. had failed to make any headway.
Further pointing towards the pathetic condition of Jambu Zoo Project, he said that named after the founder of city king Jumbo Lochan, the mega project which was started with a great fanfare wore a deserted look.
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