SRINAGAR : Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Baseer Ahmad Khan said that government was committed to revive cultural activities in Jammu and Kashmir and every effort is being made in this regard.
The Advisor made these remarks while chairing a meeting at Civil Secretariat here regarding revival of cultural activities in Jammu and Kashmir which was attended by officers from Cultural and Tourism departments.
He said that while we are opening up, after a long time in view of the pandemic, we need to roll out programmes on ground for reviving the cultural activities. He directed the officers that cultural activities should not be restricted to Jammu and Srinagar cities but the activities should be rolled out in all the districts.
“We have reached a stage where we need to pick up and roll out activities with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The tourism and cultural departments complement and supplement each other and their coordination will go a long way in the promotion of cultural activities,” he said.
The Advisor sought the calendar of activities that the cultural department has planned in the coming days and said that role of the cultural department in preserving and promoting the cultural activities is paramount.
The Advisor said that government would provide every possible assistance for the revival of cultural activities and directed the officers to give wide publicity to such activities in print and electronic media so that people will get to know about their rich culture and heritage.
The Advisor also directed for functioning of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex ((MMHC) maintaining that it constitutes one of the most iconic landmarks of history and culture of Jammu and Kashmir and needs quick restoration. He said that the periodical reviews should also be held so that all the issues regarding MMHC are resolved and bottlenecks, if any, are removed.
The Advisor while lauding the tourism department for the successful conduct of 2 day festival at Pahalgam said that it has created a good impact on the revival of tourism and cultural activities and needs to be replicated at other places.
Secretary, Tourism and Culture Sarmad Hafeez while speaking on the occasion asked the officers to be pro active and make all out efforts in the promotion of cultural activities. He also asked the officers to organize Dogri food festival in Jammu.
Director, Archives, Archaeology & Museums, Munir-ul-Islam while speaking on the occasion said that the department has planned 110 days for the promotion of cultural activities and there will be a manifold increase in the cultural activities in the coming days. He said that the department has planned several activities in various cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi.
Various performing artists who were present on the occasion also raised the issues faced by them. The Advisor gave them a patient hearing and assured them that all their genuine issues will be addressed.
