*Distributes prizes among participants
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 28: Union Secretary Tourism, Arvind Singh today attended the 5th Skiing Graduation ceremony at Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) Gulmarg.
On the occasion, the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism distributed prizes among the players who excelled in the competition of different snow games.
Among others, Economic Advisor, Union Ministry of Tourism, Gyan Bushan, Director Tourism, Kashmir, G N Itoo, Director Tourism, Jammu, Principal, IISM, SDM, Tangmarg, MD, Cable Car Corporation and other officers were present at the event.
While congratulating the players who took part in different events like Intermediate Slalom, Intermediate Tech, Basic Slalom, Basic Tech, Advance Slalom, Advance Tech etc, Arvind Singh asked them to take these sports as a professional career.
He said the vision of PM Narendra Modi is to transform the tourism sector as a major source of employment generation in the country.
Singh said sustainable tourism is the only way of expanding this sector and bringing expected change in J&K Tourism. Besides, he said adventure tourism will serve as the main attraction for domestic and foreign tourists.
He also said that as the vaccination program will be completed in the country, the flow of tourists to Gulmarg and entire Kashmir will increase manifold besides the travel restrictions on foreign tourists will also be subsequently relaxed.
When asked for renewing and development of the infrastructure at the Gulmarg, Secretary Tourism said that under different schemes Union Govt is funding States to upgrade the Tourism infrastructure.
Economic Advisor Union Ministry of Tourism, Gyan Bushan said that IISM as a part of the National Center of Excellence, needs to prepare a calendar of events to be conducted to let everyone in the country know in advance about the programmes and activities being held at Gulmarg.
Director Tourism Kashmir during his address said that the Tourism Department conducted a Snow festival here at Gulmarg during which several Bollywood celebrities participated which sent a positive message to the entire country. He said various festivals would be organized which includes Badamwari festival followed by Tulip festival and literary festival at Gulmarg.
Later, Union Secretary Arvind Singh gave away prizes to the top three position holders in separate competitive events.
In the Advance Slalom, Imityaz Ahmad obtained 1st prize, Ankit Dev Singh and Yasir got 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively. Also, in Advance Tech, Aamar Rafi took the Ist prize while Faisal Hussain Khan and Mohammad Aftab Bhat shared 2nd prize, Mian Mohammad Haris got 3rd prize.
Similarly, in Basic Slalom, Danish Bhat, Danish Khatana and Waseem got 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively while in Basic Tech Asif Ahmad, Mohammad Huzaifah Magray and Karan Kapoor claimed first, second and third prizes respectively.
Also, in intermediate Slalom, Maira Khan, Mehdi Hussain and Mohammed Ali took the top three prizes in the order of 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Besides, Danish Bashir got ist prize in Intermediate Tech while Taymam Feroz and Ayesha Khan received 2nd and 3rd prize respectively.
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