Srinagar: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited revered Hazratbal shrine here and offered prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of the people besides asking religious leaders to play an effective role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sinha, who took over the administration of the newly created UT last month, has been making rounds of the city, which include some surprise checks at hospitals and other areas of public services.
An official spokesperson said the Lt Governor arrived at the historic shrine, located on north of Dal lake where the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been kept, and spoke to officers and religious leaders there.
Among others he was accompanied by his advisor Baseer Ahmad Khan, Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; and Dr. Haseeb Mughal, SSP Srinagar, and other senior officers.
“The Lt Governor paid obeisance at the magnificent shrine and prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and well-being of its people,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Later, Sinha interacted with the religious and spiritual leaders there and urged them to play an effective role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by spreading awareness among the people on adopting the necessary precautions for containing the spread of infection.
The Lt Governor also advised the people to follow all COVID-related standard operating procedures issued by the government.
He also took a round of the premises and reviewed the facilities being provided to the devotees.
While taking an assessment of the progress on the works taken under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), the Lt Governor instructed the officers concerned for speeding up developmental works taken up under the scheme, the spokesman said.
He stressed on the officers to ensure the best possible facilities for the visiting devotees.
Pertinently, Dargah Hazratbal is one of the religious shrines getting revamped under the Government of India’s ambitious programme — Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive.
