Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta and Minister of State for Tourism, Culture, Floriculture and Parks Priya Sethi launched the curtain-raiser event to upcoming Jammu Mahotsav-2017 in the form of a grand carnival showcasing and celebrating Jammu's rich cultural heritage.The Cultural Carnival comprising tableaus of heritage monuments including Mubarak Mandi, Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, Vaishno Devi, local cultural arts including 'Gatka', a traditional martial art form, began from Kalika Dam and culminated at Apsara Road via Shivaji Chowk - Murgi Morh - Gurdwara Chowk - Gole Market.The event also saw participation from school, college children dressed in traditional garbs from various regions of the state showcasing the rich colorful and diverse cultural wealth that gives Jammu its unique identity as a beautiful and peaceful culmination of cultures and communities.While speaking on launch of the carnival, the Speaker appreciated the effort of Tourism and Information Departments in undertaking this grand effort and hoped that this event will act as a trigger to reconnect younger generations with the grand diverse history of the region.He further said that events like these will help attract national and international tourists to the region which will go a long way to give necessary economic boost to local communities, small traders etc.Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, senior political leader Yudhvir Sethi besides officers from concerned departments and large number of locals were present on the occasion.