Peace has returned to Kashmir: Lt Guv
Inaugurates Tulip Festival
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said that the administration led by him is committed to take Kashmir tourism to its new heights amid Covid-19 challenges as peace has returned to the Valley after many decades. He, however, stressed on following Covid-SoPs in spirit while exploring the garden and rest of Kashmir’s beauty.
“Covid cases are rising in the country and in J&K UT as well. Government here is committed to deal with the challenges. Steps are being taken to contain the spread of the virus. At the same time, the UT government is committed to take the Kashmir tourist to its new heights amid Covid challenges,” LG Sinha said addressing the audience on the eve of Tulip festival at famous Tulip garden in Srinagar. He said that peace has returned to Valley after so many decades and “we must cash in on it.”
He urges tourists and people of Kashmir to follow Covid SoPs in spirit while visiting the garden and other places. “Prime Minister recently stated that people of India and the rest of the world must visit Kashmir and its Tulip garden. So PM himself is the brand ambassador of tourism promotion of Kashmir. We are hoping for the bumper tourism season in Kashmir this year,” the LG said.
He said Covid has been and is again a challenge.
“We have put in place hi-tech testing facilities at airports and railways stations. People coming positive for Covid are being put under quarantine,” he said.
The LG said that Tulip garden is like an open book of poems and people like “poets and nature lovers can better explain its beauty in their own words.” “The garden is not all about flowers, it is about throwing open job opportunities to people and providing livelihood to hoteliers, restaurant owners and footpath vendors,” he said.
He said that Indian film industry, especially south Indian film makers have evinced interest in shooting in Kashmir and that he has personally met some filmmakers recently. “I am hopeful to see entire Bollywood industry shooting in Kashmir including the Tulip garden. Government will ensure elaborate security for the Bollywood film makers and actors,” LG Sinha said.
He also hoped that international cargo services will start at the Srinagar International airport soon so that Kashmir products reach international market within shortest possible time.
Addressing the audience Kerala Governor Muhammad Arif Khan said that its beyond doubt that the idea of “continuous tradition and age old ethos” prevailing in India has come all the way from Kashmir a place also known as Resh Vear—the land of Reshis and Sufis.
“It is beyond doubt that Kashmir is the most beautiful place in the world. People of Kashmir are beautiful, their thoughts are beautiful and their vision is beautiful. This is the people’s legacy which they have inherited from the great Reshis as Valley is the land of Sufi Reshis who have given Kashmiri people a rich culture, tradition and ethos,” he said.
Khan said he has no hesitation in stating that even though people of Euroupe and Egypt once enjoyed a great culture, tradition and ethos, which no more exists now.
“Look at India. It’s a country with continuous tradition and ethos. Idea of India’s age-old culture, tradition and ethos flows all the way from Kashmir—the land of Reshis and Sufi saints,” Khan said, adding that Kashmir is India’s crown and will remain so.
He said there is no match for the Kashmir’s hospitality. “I first came to this place in 1980 and I came to know one should not leave his place empty even after eating stomach full. Leaving your plate empty will get you more food in Kashmir, so never leave your plate empty,” he said in a lighter vain, while highlighting the hospitality of Kashmiri people. (KNO)
KV News
