Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 11: Ishant Sidhu from Shimla emerged winner and sailed into the Mega Final round of All India Devotional Song Competition organized during the ongoing Navratra Festival by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), J&K Tourism Department, District Administration Reasi in collaboration with different agencies, here.
Vishwa Gandrav from Jammu secured second position whereas Viva Bharti from Kathua and Vikram Badyal from Udhampur shared third position in the contest.
Ishan Sidhu was awarded a cash prize of Rs 5,000 for clinching first position and securing birth in the final of the competition.
On the occasion, Superintendent of Police, Katra Pawan Parihar was the chief guest, while Dr Piyush Singla, Ravinder Kumar and Akhilesh Kumar were the special guests.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Chairman of the competition Rakesh Wazir.
Project Officer DRDA, Reasi, Dr Jagdish Mehra, Assistant Director Tourism Veenakshi Kaul, SDPO Katra, Rajinder Katoch, President Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra, Sham Kesar and Members of the Festival Committee were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a colourful cultural procession highlighting the cultural and religious significance of the State was taken out from Asia crossing Katra where a large number of people from all section of the society, devotees and yatries participated.
Superintendent of Police, Katra, Pawan Parihar lit the sacred jyoti to flag off the cultural procession in presence of Dr Piyush Singla, Ravinder Kumar and Akhilesh Kumar.
After passing through the main locations of the holy town of Katra, the cultural procession culminated at Government Higher Secondary School Katra.
Artists of Song and Drama Division presented a colourful cultural bonanza including folk dances and songs in the premises of Government Higher Secondary School Katra. Folk Dances of J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur and Punjab were highly appreciated by the audience.
Shri Bhagvat Katha is also going on in the premises of Shri Ragunath Temple, Katra where large number of devotees are participating.
Besides, students of different educational institutions presented a cultural programme including group dances and songs at Government Higher Secondary School, Katra.
Principal of GHSS, Katra, Tripta Bhardwaj, Zonal Education Officer, Pouni, Harish Dubey and Heads of the various educational institutions were present on the occasion.
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