Katra/ Jammu, October 24(Scoop News)- The Nine day long Navrata Festival in the holy town of Katra came to a musical end last evening with Sanjeet Kumar of Katra adjudged as best singer at the grand finale of All India Devotional Song Contest.
The son of the soil Sanjeet bagged the prestigious first prize in the mega final event of All India Devotional Song Competition, which was organized by the Department of Tourism, J&K Government, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Katra, District Administration, Reasi and different local associations of Katra.
Sanjeet Kumar originally hails from Katra and is presently putting up at Mumbai. He is the disciple of renowned Bollywood Singer, Suresh Wadekar.
Chandan Kumar of Jammu clinched second, while third prize was shared by Mohinder Soni and Miss. Mukteshi Sharma both from Jammu respectively in the bhaint competition.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pardeep Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion.
MLA, Reasi, Baldev Raj Sharma, Additional Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Deputy Commissioner, Udhmapur, P.K. Pole, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Mrs. Nirmal Sharma, Director Tourism R.S. Mehta, Joint Director Information, Soujanya Sharma,, Additional SP, Katra, Mohan Lal, Members of Navratra Festival Celebration Committee, prominent citizens, besides a large number of local people and pilgrims were also present on the occasion.
Noted Bollywood personalities, including Managing Director of Venus Tapes and Records, Ganesh Jain, Managing Director of Tips Industries Ltd, Ramesh Taurani, Producer Director, Madhur Bhandarkar, Trade Analyst and Producer, Vikas Mohan, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Jagran, Mrs. Barkha Arora, were the judges for the mega final.
Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Pardeep Gupta complemented the Managing Committee of Navratra Festival and other organizations for extending their cooperation in making the event a grand success. He said that the annual festival was gaining prominence at national and even at international level besides providing a platform to the budding artists. As a result, many artists especially the winners of previous All India Devotional Song contest are proving their worth in the film industry also, he said.
He also appreciated the noted Bollywood personalities for making it a point to ensure their presence in the mega competition saying that this would help the budding talent to get inspiration and excel in the field of music.
Addl. CEO, SMVDSB, Katra, while speaking on the occasion lauded the sincere efforts of all organizations associated with the Navratra festival for its successful culmination. He said it was the result of coordinated and sincere efforts put in by the different agencies especially the people of Katra that the festival have achieved excellence in every field and was recognized as festival of culture, traditions, talent and harmony.
Chairman, All India Devotional Song Committee, Katra, Rakesh Wazir conducted the proceedings of the programs in a most professional manner.
The chief guest also gave away prizes worth Rs. one lakh in shape of gold to the first winner, Cheques amounting to Rs. 25,000/- and Rs. 15,000 to second and third runner ups respectively.
MORE AT http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=24782