Festival witnesses participation of public, elected representatives
SHOPIAN: The district administration Shopian on Saturday organised the first-ever ‘Jashn-e-Harud’, showcasing the district’s cultural heritage, traditional art, horticultural produce and local enterprises, with people from different parts of the district participating in the celebrations.
The event was attended by Zainapora MLA Showkat Hussain Ganie, Shopian MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Deputy Commissioner Charandeep Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Mushtaq Ahmed Choudhary and other district officers.
The festival featured departmental and thematic stalls highlighting government welfare schemes, developmental initiatives, local products, traditional crafts, artefacts, horticultural produce and the achievements of various departments. Cultural programmes featuring traditional performances and folk songs were also organised as part of the celebrations.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Charandeep Singh said the Harud season held particular significance for Shopian, as it was closely linked to the district’s horticultural economy, agricultural activities and way of life.
He said Shopian was predominantly a horticulture-based district and the autumn season marked the harvesting of produce after months of hard work by farmers. He observed that Harud represented not only a seasonal transition but also an important economic period for the district.
Highlighting the potential for further growth in the sector, the DC said there was considerable scope for establishing horticulture-based enterprises and promoting value addition to local produce. He stressed that greater investment in such activities could generate employment, strengthen the local economy and help farmers secure better returns.
He assured that the district administration would support initiatives aimed at promoting horticulture-related enterprises and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The Deputy Commissioner also emphasised the need to ensure that developmental activities remained environmentally sustainable and did not compromise the district’s natural resources.
Success stories of beneficiaries who had established their own ventures and adopted agri-allied farming activities were also presented during the festival. They shared their experiences of setting up enterprises and developing livelihood opportunities through agriculture and related sectors.
Visitors explored the stalls and exhibitions showcasing local products, traditional crafts and departmental initiatives, while the cultural performances highlighted the region’s artistic and cultural traditions.
