Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi along with Minister of State for Finance, Planning, IT, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Tribal Affairs, Labour and Employment, Relief and rehabilitation, Ajay Nanda today inaugurated the 21st Navratra Festival at Katra. Katra town, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is witnessing huge rush of pilgrims from across the country and abroad during the ongoing Navratras.The Minister inaugurated the festival with lightening of the sacred Akhand Jyoti and later participated in the magnificent Shobha Yatra, taken out from Asia Crossing depicting rich cultural heritage of the state which culminated at Bus Stand Katra.Speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi congratulated the people of Katra for hoisting this mega event and said that Navratra festival is a beautiful amalgam of devotion and festivities which reflects the rich heritage and composite culture of the state on national platform.
While highlighting the major initiatives underway in the tourist sector which shall promote Jammu as an independent tourist destination, Priya Sethi said that Rs. 400 crores have been earmarked for development of various tourist circuits in the area. She said that Mantalai Spiritual Centre is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore and is expected to be completed within next two years.
Similarly steps are afoot to explore tourism sites in Reasi and promote it as an adventure tourist destination along with an important pilgrimage.Pitching for enhancing stakeholdership among the people associated with the tourism sector. She said that there is need to sensitize them and improve their professional efficiency so that they extend best hospitality to the tourists coming to the state. “Every tourist visiting our state should carry enriching memories with him and this shall be the best promotion to increase tourist footfall in the state, added the Minister.Emphasizing on promoting tourism in the Jammu region, she said that Katra is among one of the ten cities which have been declared as icon cities in India and concerted efforts are being made to attract more tourists to this city.Priya further said that multi-pronged approach needs to be followed by involving stake holders to ensure holistic development of the area.She reiterated that Jammu region has tremendous tourism potential and steps are being taken by the Government to attract more and more tourism in this region. She also highlighted the other vital steps taken by the government to promote border tourism with enhanced infrastructure and other logistic facilities .Stressing on Swachh Bharat Mission, she urged the people to keep their surroundings clean and fulfill the dream of Mahatma Gandhi.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness, she added and exhorted that we all should make collaborative efforts towards the mission of our Prime minister towards a clean and green India.During her address, she also laid emphasis on the development of Spiritual Centre at major tourist destinations, Tulip Garden at Sanasar, Ropeway at Shiv Khori besides the development of Mantalai, Purmandal ,Surinsar and Mansar lakes as important tourist spots.Speaking on the occasion, MoS Finance and Planning emphasized on the development of infrastructure at Katra and asked the concerned to work in tandem with the shrine board to improve facilities in Katra town . He also sought cooperation from the people of Katra in maintaining cleanliness and said that Reasi is the focal point of tourist activities in the state and steps are afoot to promote infrastructural facilities to give a fillip to the tourism sector which is the backbone of our economy.He also stress on enhancing proficiency of the stakeholders associated with the tourism sector and appealed the media fraternity to dispel any misconception about the situation in the state and help project the state as a tourist destination. Earlier, in his welcome address Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal said that this year we are celebrating 21st Navratra festival and it has assumed great significance as this mega event explicitly showcases our rich composite culture and heritage .
He said this year the funding for the festival has been enhanced to Rs. 50 lakh and with the active partaking of various stakeholders the festival shall attract tourists in large number. More than 20 Jhankis were taken out during the Shobha Yatra today and Various artists from Himachal Pradesh , Uttarakhand and other states besides local artists participated in the cultural procession. The main attraction of the programme was the Kud Dance which is a famous dance form of Chenab valley region and performed by the locals to mark the celebrations of harvesting.Special focus was also laid on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to generate awareness regarding the importance of cleanliness among the common masses.Among others, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Pawan Kotwal ,IGP Danish Rana , CEO SMVDSB, Katra Ajit Kumar Sahu, Director Tourism Sushma Chouhan, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Ravinder Kumar,Director Local Bodies Soujanya Sharma, , SSP Sujit Kumar, ADC Shiv Kumar Gupta, Joint Director Vishesh Mahajan, Deputy Director Tourism Er. S.K. Attri, SDM Katra Neelam Khajuria besides other district officers and prominent citizens, artists were present on the occasion.The annual nine-day Navratra Festival at holy town Katra would be offering a series of events including Kavi Sammelan, Bhagwat Katha, Hasya Vyang (Laughter Show), Cultural Programmes by Song & Drama Division of GOI, Wrestling Competition,Talent Show by differently abled children, shows by Natrang and All India Devotional Song Competion for the visitors till its culmination on 10th October.