Jammu, April 18 (Scoop News) – The grand finale of Singing Talent Hunt ‘‘Choona Hai Asmaan’’ organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police concluded at Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground here yesterday evening.
Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand was the Chief Guest and Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani was guest of honour. Bollywood star, Sanjay Suri and music director, Sakhawat Hussain Khan also attended the function as special guests.
Addressing the function, chief guest Tara Chand appreciated Jammu and Kashmir Police for its role in promoting cultural spirit in the state. He said that the department, besides its professional duties has been doing social work by organising cultural and sports events in different parts of the state. The organisation has been doing a commendable job by devoting time to boost budding talent of far-flung areas who did not get enough opportunities to perform. The platform provided by JKP would help the youngsters to shine at higher levels, said Tara Chand.
On the occasion, Nasir Aslam Wani said that the efforts of the organisation, besides honing the talent of the youth in different areas, have also helped to build an atmosphere of mutual trust among police and public.
Appreciating the efforts of DGP for introducing cultural activities in policing, the minister said that during years of unrest in the state, the youth have suffered much and the activities initiated, have started paying dividends. He announced a five day trip to Srinagar for the participants, where they would present a cultural show at SKICC.
The Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda, while detailing the activities, said that JKP, as a part of its social responsibility, has been organizing many events to inspire the youngsters towards sports and cultural activities. In this endeavour, the Organization started a Talent Hunt Campaign ‘‘Choona Hai Asmaan’’ across the State in the year 2011, to identify budding singers and provide them a platform to perform. He said it was the first attempt of its nature by the Organization, which yielded encouraging public response at every level. The selected singers of the competition were provided assistance to refine their performance and get berth at national level. Continuing its efforts Season-2 of the hunt was started across the State in January this year and more than 2500 singing lovers got their entry in the competition. After organizing different competitions at district, range and provincial level 19 young performers have been selected by the experts for the grand finale. The department will hone the talent of singers to make them able to perform at the national level, added the DGP.
Khoda said that the participation of the youth have been encouraging for the organisation and such events would be also conducted in the valley to promote cultural spirit and inspire more youngsters towards the activities. He lauded the role of the organising committees including IGP Jammu and Kashmir for their strenuous efforts in identifying the singers from remote areas.
Experts in the field of music Professor B. S. Narang, Sakhawat Hussain Khan and Director Doordarshan Kendra, Jammu, Shabir Ahmed Buchh were designated as judges to decide the best performance in the categories.
19 participants from male and female categories had come to excel in the grand finale. The performers tried their luck for top slots of best singers in two categories. In junior category Ms. Nafeesa Bilal and Ms. Satinder Shanu bagged first and second position and Antra Dhar, Magic Star Institute shared the third prize. Band Orchestra “Waves”, Ms. Anjusha Sharma and Ms. Nusrat Amin were declared first, second and third respectively in the senior category. The winners were awarded with cash prizes and mementoes by the Chief Guest.
Among others, the function was attended by the Advisor to Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, DG CRPF, Anrudh Uppal, former DGP, M. M. Khajuria, ADsGP, K. Rajendra Kumar, Dr. Ram Lubhaya and Dr. S. P. Vaid, Chairperson, JKPWWA, Dr. Indu Koul Khoda, IsGP, Dilbag Singh, A. K. Chowdhary, Dr. B. Srinivas, H. K. Lohia and Gulzar Singh Salathia, Lady members of PWWA, educationists, intellectuals, senior retired police officers and prominent citizens.