Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: Governor N.N Vohra visited Mata Kheer Bhawani Shrine at Tulmulla and prayed for the peace and well being of the people of the State. He extended his greetings to the people, particularly Kashmiri Pandits, on the occasion of Jyestha Ashtami.
B.B. Vyas, Chief Secretary; Baseer Ahmed Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Tariq Hussain Ganai, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal; Fayaz Ahmad Lone, SSP Ganderbal, representatives of the Dharmarth Trust and several members of the Kashmiri Pandit community received the Governor on his arrival at the Shrine.
The Governor discussed with Chief Secretary and other officers the arrangements made by the District Administration and the Dharamarth Trust for the comfortable stay of the pilgrims, including traffic management, accommodation, sanitation etc.
He asked Divisional Commissioner to direct the timely repair of the entire stretch of the road from Zakura to the Shrine and from Ganderbal town to Kangan and beyond and ensure timely completion of the now very long pending project to establish an STP at the Shrine.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh directed the officers to synergize their efforts to ensure smooth conduct of ensuing Kheer Bhawani Mela, maintaining that it is one of the most important religious festivals of Kashmiri Pandits.
The Deputy Chief Minister was interacting with officers during his review meeting to oversee the arrangements being put in place for the ensuing Mela Kheer Bhawani.
Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga, Vice Chairman JKPCC Khalid Jehangir, DC Ganderbal, SSP Ganderbal and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Dr Singh said such festive occasions exhibit brotherhood and communal harmony among the people of Kashmir and provide an opportunity to bridge the gap among different geographic regions of the State. He said the State is known for its pluralistic character and mutual brotherhood among different sections of the society.
He directed the administration to ensure that a fool proof mechanism viz-a-viz security is put in place to ensure that the devotees coming to pay their obeisance do not face any inconvenience. He said that the requisite arrangements related to the traffic should also be undertaken so that the transportation facilities are provided to them and requisite parking slots are designated to facilitate the devotees.
Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Abdul Rehman Veeri also visited Kheer Bhawani and took stock of the arrangements being made for smooth conduct of ensuing Mela.
The Minister stressed upon the officers to work with missionary spirit and proper coordination so that all possible facilities are made available to the devotees during Mela days at the temple. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure cleanliness in and around the Bhawan besides making all toilets temporarily functional.
The Minister visited the health centre setup for providing health care to the visitors and asked the administration to provide quality health care to the devotees.
Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo also visited the historic Kheer Bhawani shrine to oversee the arrangements being put in place for the smooth conduct of the annual mela.
He was accompanied by VC, JKPCC Khalid Jehangir, MD JKPCC, Dhilip Thusoo, senior leader Shahnawaz Choudhary and other senior officers.
While directing the officers to ensure that the devotees coming to pay their obeisance are provided with the necessary requisite facilities, the Advisor said that a fool proof mechanism should be put in place to ensure smooth conduct of this mela.
Prof. Mattoo also directed for the early completion of the STP being constructed there. He said that the STP is pivotal for maintaining fragile ecological set up of the area. He also announced an additionality of Rs. 25 lakh for the same on behalf of the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Shri Rama Krishan Maha Samelan Ashram Nagdandi, Achabal has started free langer for pilgrims at Kheerbhawani Shrine from today as usual.
The volunteers of the Ashram led by its president, BL Bhat reached the holy shrine late last night from Nagdandi and started free langer services for the pilgrims.
Bhat while talking to Excelsior appealed the pilgrims to visit the holy shrine without any fear as authorities have made all arrangements for them while the Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Srinagar and Ganderbal have assured us all cooperation in smooth conduct of the yatra.
He regretted that some vested and anti national elements as well as some political activists are spreading canards about the holy shrine and people should not ear it as the pilgrims are visiting the shrine daily and total conducive atmosphere prevails here.
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