Bhaderwah/Jammu,May 27 (Scoop News) – Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora today inaugurated 4-day Bhaderwah Tourism-cum-Cultural Festival at a grand function held at Boys Higher Secondary School (Boys) Bhaderwah.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the festival, Jora said that development of tourism sector in the state is among the top priorities of the coalition Government. He said that Bhaderwah is emerging as a fast growing tourist destination attracting huge influx of tourists from within and outside the country. He said that former Chief Minister and present Union Minister for Health, Ghulam Nabi Azad has played a significant role in creation of better tourism infrastructure in district Doda who started Bhaderwah Tourism–cum-Cultural Festival to boost the tourist activity in the district. He said that the coalition government headed by Omar Abdullah is committed for the development of the tourism sector in the district in a phased manner. Appreciating the people of district Doda for their whole hearted participation in the festival, the Minister said that such overwhelming participation of public supplements government’s efforts in organizing such festivals. He asked the unemployed youth to come forward and establish their self employment ventures under tourism department’s schemes like opening of hotels, guest houses and other tourism related facilities and opt tourism sector as a career prospective. He announced that Hotel Management Training will be provided to these aspiring youths by the tourism department. He also said that there is huge scope of adventure sports activities in Bhaderwah which needs to be fully exploited.
On the occasion, various colorful and scintillating cultural programmes were presented by the theatre artists, school and college students and local artists. The main attractions of the occasion were Paddari Folk Dance , Bhaderwahi Kodh Folk Dance, Reasi Folk Dance, Dogri Folk Dance, Kashmiri Dance besides other folk songs and dances which mesmerized the audience in the inaugural ceremony.
A Play was also presented on the occasion by the theatre artists which presented the history behind the celebration of Mela Patt in Bhaderwah which was well appreciated by the chief guest and other dignitaries. A song written, composed and directed by the DDC Doda Farooq Ahmed Khan on beautiful Valley of Bhaderwah was also presented on the occasion.
Earlier, the function started with lightening of traditional lamp and releasing of balloons by Nawang Rigzin Jora.
District Development Commissioner Doda Farooq Ahmed Khan, presented welcomed address.
Member Parliament, Choudhary Lal Singh, Vice Chairman Legislative Assembly Sh. S. Arvinder Singh Micky, Minister for Cooperatives Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Minister of State for Power Sh. Shabir Khan, MLA Doda Sh. Abdul Majid Wani, MLA Bhaderwah Sh. Mohd. Sharief Niaz, MLA Inderwal Sh. G.M Saroori, MLA Ramban Sh. Ashok Kumar, MLA Chenani Sh. K .C Bhagat , MLC Sh. Naresh Gupta , Director Tourism Jammu Sh. R.S Mehta besides various other officers and prominent personalities were present in the inaugural function.
Nawang Rigzin Jora along with other Ministers and legislatures also inspected the stalls established by various departments.