Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 21: The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, under the leadership of Secretary Tourism, J&K, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, orchestrated a grand Folk Festival Cum Cultural Bonanza at Central Park, Bahu Plaza, Jammu.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, chief guest of the event, lauded the Tourism Department for impeccable orchestration of the gala event.He extended warm Navratra greetings to all attendees, emphasizing the cultural significance of this auspicious occasion within Jammu’s vibrant tapestry.
The venue exuded a festive atmosphere, with traditional welcomes set to the rhythmic beats of dhols and a soul-soothing Ganesh Vandana performance.
Director Tourism Jammu, Vivekanand Rai emphasized the crucial role of events like this as they provide a common ground for cultural exchange among diverse regions, fostering strong bonds of unity, brotherhood, and communal harmony.
Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director Tourism, emphasized the department’s unyielding dedication to boosting public participation and shining a spotlight on hidden talents. She also underscored that this year’s Navratra celebrations extended beyond Katra, encompassing Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, and Kathua, where the splendid Basohli Utsav took center stage.
The event showcased various performances, including Ganesh Vandana and Mata ki Bhaint. The Open MIC platform provided a stage for local emerging talents to captivate the audience with their songs and dance performances, showcasing the region’s abundant talent.
The highlight of the festival was a scintillating Kud dance performance, a local Dogri folk dance, which left the audience mesmerized. In the evening, local artists, including Saras Bharti, Sonali Dogra, Ravi Raghuvanshi, Sourav Shivalaya and artists from Tanseen Sangeet Vidayala, delivered high-energy Dandiya-Garba performances. The enthusiastic audience joined in the celebratory atmosphere with the combined rhythms of Kud and Dandiya beats setting the tone for Navratra festivities.
The Tourism Department also felicitated the winners of the online competition, My Favorite Tourist Destination of Jammu Division,which received an overwhelming response from enthusiasts, underscoring the department’s commitment to engaging the public and promoting unexplored tourist destinations in the Jammu region. The event also featured an LED screen showcasing Jammu’s tourist destinations, providing a visual treat for travel enthusiasts.
The event was attended by Amit Sharma, Joint Commissioner GST, Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity) Neha Mahajan,Deputy Director Planning, Sugandhi Banotra, Assistant Director Tourism Jammu, Arif Lone, Assistant Director Tourism NHW Batote/Katra,Capt. Anil Gour,President Travels association of Jammu, Rajendar Sharma, General Secretary TAAJ, Sanjay Gupta, Dalbir Sharma, Executive members.
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