Baramulla: Cinema halls made a return to north Kashmir after three decades as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated 100-seater multipurpose film theatres in Baramulla and Handwara towns of the union territory.
Similar theatres were inaugurated by the LG in Shopian and Pulwama districts, while a private company set up the Valley’s first multiplex in Srinagar city last year.
“In yet another historic first after abrogation of Article 370, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the 100-seater multipurpose cinema halls in Baramulla and Handwara,” an official spokesman said.
He said cinema has returned to Baramulla after more than three decades. The LG has pledged to set up a film theatre in every district to provide the big screen experience to the people.
Sinha congratulated the people of Baramulla and Handwara on the occasion, saying the movie theatres are a reflection of growing aspiration of Jammu & Kashmir.
The new multipurpose cinema halls under public-private partnership are aimed at providing recreational facilities to the people, reviving vibrant cinema culture, space for the young generation to rejuvenate, discuss, and deliberate through seminars, the spokesman said.
The facilities at both the locations will also house a cafe, VR, conference and seminar facilities for youth.
Rahul Nehra, Director Jadooz Media, said that the Bollywood blockbuster “Pathaan”, headlined by superstar Shah Rukh Khan, will be showcased at the newly inaugurated cinemas.
At Baramulla, the LG also inaugurated various development projects for the district.
He commended the efforts of the district administration, members of PRIs and civil society for taking Baramulla ahead on the path of peace and development.
“Baramulla is now moving towards becoming an ‘inspirational district’ from ‘aspirational district’. The district has made impressive strides to socio-economic development in the last few years,” the LG said.
Reiterating the commitment of the J&K administration to work for socio-economic empowerment of all, the LG said, the marginalized section of society have first right on government’s resources.
“Vision of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ has brought transformation in the lives of the underprivileged. We are working on a holistic and scalable strategy to harness the tremendous creative power of a large population,” the LG said.
He said land to landless and a pucca house under PMAY will unleash the full potential of thousands of families and will meet their basic needs.
“Government wants to see the last person in the queue get a sense of empowerment and I want to assure these families that a promising future awaits you,” the LG said.
Paying tributes to the “Lion of Baramulla”, Maqbool Sherwani, the LG called upon all the sections of society to make their significant contribution in the next 25 year journey of new and aspirational J&K towards ‘Viksit’ Jammu & Kashmir.
Safina Baig, Chairperson, District Development Council, Baramulla lauded the efforts of the LG-led UT administration for the welfare and empowerment of the youth of J&K through initiatives like Mission Youth.
The other projects worth Rs 4 crore inaugurated by LG at Baramulla includes nine roomed three storey building at HSS Kunzer; auditorium at HSS Sultanpora; Water Supply Schemes under Jal Jeevan Mission at Achabal Doabagh, Vadderabad, Panzalla, and WSS Dolipora Fresthar.
Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, CEO Mission Youth; Vivek Gupta, DIG; Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, senior officials of police, civil administration and security forces, PRI members, office bearers of Jadooz Media and prominent citizens from all walks of life were present.
