LG inaugurates Jashn-e-Kashmir festival

Srinagar, Oct 25: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Tuesday inaugurated “Jashn-e-Kashmir”- New Kashmir New Hope, a three-week long cultural festival celebrating tradition, culture and heritage, at Srinagar.
The cultural festival is being organized by All J&K Folk Artists Association, Shah Qalander Folk Theatre, in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, and the Office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
Congratulating everyone associated with the cultural festival, the Lt Governor said, “The government is working out a roadmap for preserving and reviving the culture and folk traditions of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
“After a long pause, we are witnessing cultural revival in J&K. Several schemes for promoting folk arts, literature and visual arts have been prepared to give a new impetus to art and culture,” informed the Lt Governor.
He added, “Our unique diversity is our pride and our biggest strength. Such festivals will encourage artistes, artisans and craftsmen to promote the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.”
He went on to say that the J&K Government has taken steps to reconnect youth to their roots and provide an environment and a forum to folk artistes, visual artistes and authors to showcase our shared goals and values.
Schemes like ‘Guru Shishya Parampara’ to pass on the valued traditions of Jammu Kashmir to the coming generations; preservation of folklore, UT writers camp, national theatre festivals, inter-state cultural exchange programmes, international visits and cultural events in far flung areas will strengthen our traditional cultural richness, informed the Lt Governor.
“Our artistes are reflection of social values, social progress and the administration is fully committed for their welfare,” said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor informed, “We are aware of the difficulties being faced by many such senior artistes, writers who are not active today due to ill health and the hardships of the families of those artistes who are not with us anymore.
“The Government will ensure such artistes, writers or their dependents are provided with financial assistance,” he said.
Appreciating the role of voluntary organizations and institutions for the promotion of literature, folk art, music, the Lt Governor informed that the scheme of financial assistance for the registered societies related to various arts has also been approved.
Sinha also highlighted the efforts being made to document and preserve folk treasure of songs and tales.
He urged the cultural organizations, departments, artistes and the people to work collectively for preserving the precious cultural and folk traditions of Jammu Kashmir.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor felicitated the artistes for their excellent contribution in preserving and promoting the local art, culture and folk traditions.
Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board in her address lauded the contribution of the artistes who are the face of culture and values of J&K and the country. She said that the LG-led UT administration has provided a new lifeline to the field of art and culture in J&K.
Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, All J&K Folk Artists Association expressed gratitude to the Lt Governor for providing continuous support to art, culture and artistes of J&K. He said the renewed energy being filled in the field of art and culture of Jammu Kashmir has brought prosperity in the life of all artistes across the UT.
He also thanked the Lt Governor-led administration for launching the J&K film policy and other initiatives for promoting art, culture and traditions of Jammu Kashmir and welfare of performing artists.
On the occasion performances of different folk music and dance were presented by the artistes from across the UT.
Mustaque Ali Ahmad Khan, Cultural Activist delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Mohammad Aijaz, DC Srinagar; Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary, JKAACL, besides prominent personalities from the field of art, folk and culture attended the inaugural ceremony at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.