GHULAM AHMAD MIR KICKS OFF KASHMIR FESTIVAL

Srinagar, MAY 14 (Only Kashmir): Minister for Tourism Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir today inaugurated fortnight Kashmir Tourism festival 2013 at Kashmir Haat, where recreation facilities besides stalls have been put in place by different Departments to showcase the rich tourism, art and culture of the valley for attraction of tourists.The fortnight festival was organized by Tourism Department with financial assistance of Central Government and in collaboration with different departments. During the festival days different tourist related activities are being carried out at various tourism spots with focus to highlight adventure, golf, river and eco-tourism besides art and culture of the Valley.Union Tourism Secretary, Mr. Parvez Deewan, District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Talat Parvez, Chief executive Officer Go-air, senior officers of various Departments and representatives of Tourism Associations besides tourists and locals were among others present on the occasion. 
                Speaking at the inaugural function, Tourism Minister said that Kashmir festival was organized after a long gap with the aim to bring back the tourism sector on the “revival path”. He said through the festival, the government intends to introduce the cultural traditions including Sufi music, folklore and other art forms adding that the Tourism Department along with the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL) is also hosting a two-month folk festival across the Valley these days. Mir said they were holding several adventure sports-related activities like paragliding and water sports that had not been exploited to its full potential.On the development of unexplored tourist destinations, Mir said the authorities could not fully develop the infrastructure due to the un-favourable conditions in the past. However, he said, the government was working on developing the required infrastructure so that the full potential of the tourism sector was exploited.He said the festival would not only help locals to come to know about their inheritance but their participation in the mega festival will depict a true picture of Kashmir’s rich culture which has no match in the entire world. He said “the two decade long turmoil completely hooked the chances of our younger generations to compete with the youth of other States of the Country. We want our youth to come out of the uncertainty which they faced these years,’’ he maintained. (OK)