Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 5: As a part of celebrations of Navratra Festival, All India Devotional Song Competition, being organized by the District Administration Reasi in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Tourism Department entered third day at Katra.
On the third day of the Competition, Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Revenue and Rehabilitation, Information Technology, Ajay Nanda was the chief guest, who inaugurated the contest along with Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Ravinder Kumar, who was the guest of honour. Vikas Gupta, CEO Surinsar and Mansar Development Authority, Tilak Raj, Deputy Commandant CRPF, Chairman Devotional Song Committee Rakesh Wazir, Yog Acharya Swami Yoga Nand Ji Maharaj, besides members of Navratra Festival Committee Shyam Lal Kesar, Sardari Lal Dubey, Virender Kesar and Shiv Kumar Sharma were also present.
In the preliminary round of the competition, Sushmita Banerjee from Jammu was adjudged first, Yasir Hussain from Punjab secured second position and the third position was clinched by Vivek Mohan and they were awarded with cash prizes of Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively. Wild card entry was awarded to Arshi Kalas on the basis of her performance, recommendation of the MoS Ajay Nanda, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi and judges as well.
The competition was adjudged by the panels of experts in music including Prof Anupama Sharma, Lecturer Music, GDC Parade, Dr Usha Bhagati, former HoD Music, MAM College Jammu and Dr CL Verma, Chairperson Himachal Pradesh University Shimla.
The proceeding was conducted by Rakesh Wazir, Chairman of the competition and Member, Navratra Festival Committee.
Meanwhile, a Shobha Yatra-cum-Cultural Procession was taken out in Katra with the main attraction being Jhankies in which artists from all over the country participated and showcased their regional cultures.
A Hasya Vyang Competition was also organised by the District Administration in which 22 artists participated and 12 qualified for the semi-finals.
Among others, SDM Katra, Neelam Khajuria, ASP, Sumir Kotwal, AD Tourism Dr Umesh Shan, Tehsildar, Katra Mohit Raina, and other prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
A massive awareness rally under the theme Save Trikuta Hills was taken out from the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi this morning.
SDPO Katra, Dr. Ashok Sharma flagged off the rally in which students from 30 different educational institutions participated with enthusiasm.
Carrying placards and raising slogans on Save Trikuta Hills, the rally passed through various locations of the Katra town like Bus stand, Main Bazaar, Chintamani Mandir and finally culminated at Government Higher Secondary School, Katra.
Among others, Principal Higher Secondary School, Katra, Subash Gupta, Station House Officer, Arvind Sambyal, Members of the Navratra Festival Committee, teachers, prominent citizens and large number of students were present on the occasion.
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