Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan today said that festivals are a significant way to celebrate the glorious heritage, culture and traditions of an area. He said that they play an important role to connect people with their heritage and ancestral legacy and need to be observed with enthusiasm and fervor.The CEC stated this while addressing people during the annual Mamani (traditional food) festival organized by the Himalayan Heritage and Cultural Foundation (HHCF) in collaboration with Youth Educational and Sports Welfare Society Wakha at Wado Wakha here.Superintendent of Police Dr Vinod Kumar, Councillor Shargole Muhammad Ali Chandan, several officers from the Civil and Police Administration, Sarpanchs, Panchs, prominent citizens and people in large numbers were present on the occasion.During the festival people of Wakha and adjoining villages had put up stalls of traditional dishes.The CEC while appreciating the organizers for holding the food festival said that the event will play an instrumental role in helping people relate to their roots, adding festivals like these were started by our ancestors to pass the legends, knowledge and traditions onto the next generation.Khan said that festivals serve the purpose of bringing happiness to peoples’ lives, besides strengthening the sense of community and people should participate in them with all zeal and passion.The CEC said that Hill Council is fully committed to give boost to activities related to the preservation and promotion of culture and traditions in the district and all-out efforts are being made to ensure the development of culture as a priority sector.
Khan said that the construction of the first-ever museum in the district at a cost of Rs 6 crore is a part of such efforts for which Hill Council has already allotted 3 canals land at Kurbathang area.Meanwhile, the CEC distributed prizes among the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and consolation prizes among the prize winners. He also announced ten thousand rupees in favor of Youth Educational and Sports Welfare Society Wakha and another ten thousand rupees in favor of the stall owners who participated in the food festival.Councillor Shargole also announced Rs 10,000 in favor of the organizers of the event.Khan also felicitated famous folk singer Master Muhammad Hussain Silmoo, Registering Officer Antiquities Ladakh Khadim Hussain Poyen, writer and poet Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, Social and Cultural Activist Muhammad Amin Polo and others for their noteworthy services in the field of culture and literature.On the occasion, the locals also projected a number of demands which included the construction of an ice hockey rink in the area, up gradation of the existing Health Centre at Wadoo Wakha to Primary Health Centre level, up gradation of Government High school Wakha to Higher Secondary Level, grant of financial assistance and other related demands.The CEC gave a patient hearing to all demands put forth by the people and assured them all genuine concerns will be addressed in a phased manner.