Srinagar, October 19(Scoop News) – Highlighting the uniqueness of cultural diversity living in amity in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said that the abode of grate heritage, Kashmir got unfortunately portrayed as a place of violence in last 20 to 25 years besmearing its image.
Addressing a function after he and Parliament Member Dr. Karan Singh inaugurated the office of Indian Centre for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the bank of Dal Lake here, Omar Abdullah said that Kashmir symbolizes hospitality, brotherhood, natural beauty and vastness of rich heritage. He said despite inroads and attempts to disbalance this characteristic of Kashmir, it withstood all onslots and is living and emerging stronger with the passage of time.
Omar Abdullah expressed the hope that the office of ICCR in Srinagar will prove highly beneficial to the artists and craftsmen here and helps promote culture and heritage in its all forms. He said that the need for such a centre in Srinagar was felt for a long time and the artists were raising this demand time and again. He said that by opening of ICCR office the cherished demand has been realized. He said that the first Education Minister of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad founded ICCR in 1950 to develop Indian cultural relations with other countries. He said that the artists of Jammu and Kashmir would get opportunity to showcase State’s art and culture through ICCR world-wide by becoming part of the Indian cultural troupes visiting various countries.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is paying due attention to promote State’s culture and heritage and ensure holistic welfare of artists and artisans. He said that government has approved construction of Tehzeeb Mahal and JKPCC has been asked to start the construction work of the complex which would serve home for artists to nurture various forms of art and culture.
Speaking on the occasion, President ICCR, Dr. Karan Singh said that India is abode of different religions, cultures, languages, traditions and ethnic groups. He said that the amity between various cultures and people in India is the beauty of this country and ICCR showcases it all over the world. He said Jammu and Kashmir is itself a place of diverse heritage, culture and geographical diversity. He said ICCR would help to promote and further strengthen this identity of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Karan Singh said that there are three types of relations between various countries. “One is political which exists between government to government, another is economic which exists between corporate sectors and third is cultural which is between people to people and this one is the most important”, he added.
Dr. Karan Singh said that unlike other states ICCR has opened its two offices one each at Srinagar and Jammu. He said ICCR would provide platform to artists to showcase their talent and develop cultural relations with the artists of other states and outside the country.
Dr. Karan Singh said that the artisans of Kashmir symbolize Kashmir’s cultural vastness and the people of this place possess richness of heritage and culture in their gens.
Minister for Culture and Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora in his address said that the Kashmiriyat symbolizes cultural diversity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and denotes the amity and love existing between various regions and people in the State since times immoral. He expressed the hope that ICCR’s office in Srinagar would help to strengthen Kashmiriyat and work for welfare of artists.
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Minister of State for Culture, Nasir Aslam Wani, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon and various writers, artists and prominent citizens were present among other on the occasion.
A colourful cultural programme containing concerts from the artists of Ladakh and Kashmir was also presented on the occasion.