Focus of Govt to bring Baba Jitto devsathan on tourist map: Bhalla

Jammu, November 10 (Scoop News)- Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation . Raman Bhalla has said that Government is making all out efforts to provide better facilities to devotees at Baba Jitoo devsathan at Shama Chak adding that efforts are also being made to bring this revered place on the tourist map.

About 5 lakh devotees from across the country visited the Baba Jitto shrine and paid obeisance.

This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at Baba Jitoo devsathan after inaugurating 9-day long Jhiri Mela, here today.

MLA s. Indu Pawar, MLA . Bharat Bhushan, District Development Commissioner, . Sanjeev Verma, Director Rural Development Department . Shafiq Raina, Sarpanch . Ashok Mahajan besides other senior officers of RDD, PHE, R&B, Agriculture, Horticulture, PDD and Industries were accompanied the Minister.

Congratulating the Management Committee of Jhiri Mela and administration for making excellent arrangements in the Mela, the Minister asked the officers to maintain close coordination between the Management Committee and different agencies associated with the Mela to ensure success of this annual event. He laid thrust on ensuring availability of un-interrupted power, water supply and adequate stock of medicines and other essentials at the Mela site. He also directed the concerned to ensure proper sanitation in the Mela site.

. Bhalla took round of all the stalls displayed by different departments to facilitate the people and directed the officers of agriculture, horticulture and floriculture to educate the people about various government schemes and incentives so that people could avail the benefits. He appreciated the stalls of Agriculture, Horticulture, Drug Control Organization and Rural Development for their proper upkeep and presentation.

The Minister said Government has already announced certain measures for the beautification of all the ancient shrines across the State including Baba Jitto and Baba Sidh Goria shrines for attracting the tourists and pilgrims.

Remembering the life history of Baba Jitoo, the Minister said Baba Jitoo has always worked for the upliftment of poor, weak and downtrodden sections especially farmer community throughout his life. He said deed teachings of Baba Jitto serve as beacon-light for the humanity forever.

. Bhalla said the Baba Jitoo a great spiritual saint was the devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and he used to visit for the prayers to the holy shrine daily from his native village Garkot in Katra and was enlightened with special power.

The Minister said the Samadhi of Baba Ji was installed at Jhiri over 650 years back on Kartik Purnima and since then as a tradition mela is held every year here in which lakhs of people drawn from different parts of the country participate. With the supreme sacrifice, the Baba Ji has given the message that fighting the injustice is the real dharma. His daughter also went into Samadhi along with her father, he said, adding a temple of Mata was later constructed adjacent to his Samadhi.

A dangal was also held on the occasion which ended into a tie.

Earlier,the Minister alongwith his wife s. Indira Bhalla also paid obeisance to Baba Jitto and Bua Kauri devsathan at the shrine.

The Minister also witnessed the wrestling competition which was organized by the Managing Committee on the occasion.

The children participated in fun and frolic enjoying swings, slides, marigold and other games.

. Bhalla distributed prizes among the wrestlers. He also gave away memento to Agriculture Department whose stall was adjudged the best in the Mela amongst the others.