Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Minister for Health & Medical Education, ARI and Trainings, Choudhary Lal Singh today inaugurated 2-day first Border Festival at Hiranagar which attracted more than 12,000 people on first day.
Legislators, Rajeev Jasrotia and Kuldeep Raj, District Development Commissioner, Kathua, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, DIG BSF R S Gurung, SSP Kathua Neeva Jain, Ex-MLAs Durga Dass and Girdhari Lal Chalotra besides senior officers of district administration, officers of BSF and Army including a large number of men and women from the border belt were also present on the occasion.
The 2-day border festival has been organised to woo tourists from across the State and outside providing them opportunity to see International Border and areas along the border.
A van on awareness regarding State and Centrally Sponsored Schemes was also launched on the occasion which will visit 100 villages to spread awareness among masses.
District administration has also organised border safari and border home stay for tourists which has got tremendous response from visitors.
The Minister and MLAs inspected 104 stalls installed in the Border Festival by different State Government Departments. He also interacted with the official and volunteers.
Addressing a large gathering, the Minister said that border areas of the Kathua district would be developed into a mega border tourist destination for pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi and other holy shrines of Jammu division. He said that Government endeavour is to promote varied tourism activities in Jammu division like other parts of the State, adding this would not only boost local economy but would also be a source of inspiration for coming generation.
The Minister highlighted the importance of Border Festival in showcasing border area of Kathua district as a tourist destination instead of war zone. He expressed hope that different initiatives launched by administration will harvest rich dividends for peace and development in border area apart from providing employment.
MLA Kathua and MLA Hirangar also spoke regarding tourism and development in border area.
Earlier, an impressive cultural programme was presented by the artists of Information Department and Cultural Academy which was highly applauded by the audience.
Later, a Dog Show staged by BSF received huge applause from audience while Band was displayed by BSF and Police Training School Kathua.
Four sports competitions were also organised by district administration on the occasion.
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