Srinagar: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology Satish Sharma on Sunday attended the inauguration ceremony of the sacred Adhikmas/Banumas/Purushotam Maas-Kumbh 2026 at the historic Mattan Temple and highlighted the importance of preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s traditions of communal harmony, brotherhood and coexistence.
The Minister inaugurated the religious congregation in the presence of devotees, religious scholars, community representatives and local residents.
Addressing the gathering, Satish Sharma said Jammu and Kashmir has always been known for its rich spiritual and cultural legacy where people from different faiths have lived together in harmony and mutual respect for generations.
He said such religious and cultural events serve as reminders of the region’s composite culture and play an important role in strengthening social unity and mutual understanding among communities.
The Minister said the government remains committed to safeguarding and promoting the unique cultural and spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
He extended greetings to devotees and participants attending the event and prayed for peace, prosperity and wellbeing of the people of the Union Territory.
The Minister was accompanied by legislators Abdul Majeed Larmi and Riyaz Ahmad Khan, who also interacted with devotees and appreciated the role of such gatherings in preserving the pluralistic ethos and communal harmony of the region.
Later, Satish Sharma visited Gurudwara Mattan, where he paid obeisance and interacted with members of the Sikh community.
He reiterated the government’s resolve towards ensuring equal respect and support for all religious institutions and communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister also paid obeisance at the revered Aishmuqam Shrine and prayed for peace, prosperity and communal harmony in the region.
During the visit, he interacted with devotees and local residents and described the shrine as a symbol of Kashmir’s spiritual heritage and centuries-old traditions of inclusiveness and brotherhood.
On the sidelines of the visit, Satish Sharma inspected the playground at Mattan and reviewed the available sports infrastructure and ongoing developmental works.
Interacting with local youth and sports enthusiasts, he assured them that the government is focused on strengthening sports infrastructure and creating better opportunities for young talent across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister directed officials to ensure timely completion of developmental works at sports facilities so that adequate infrastructure is made available to aspiring players at the grassroots level.
Later, he visited the playground at Anantnag and reviewed the existing sports infrastructure and maintenance works.
He stressed the need to maintain quality standards and ensure proper upkeep of sports facilities for the benefit of local youth and budding athletes.
Reiterating the government’s commitment towards youth empowerment, Satish Sharma said providing modern sports infrastructure and encouraging youth participation in sports remain among the key priorities of the government.
He added that sustained efforts are being made to create a vibrant sporting ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir to nurture talent and positively engage the youth.