Assuring to continue his efforts, with renewed vigour, to expand the avenues of tourism in the entire Chenab Valley, and revive its rich culture, the former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad Wednesday urged people to give the befitting reply to the political parties in upcoming Assembly elections which are piding people on religious lines. He said that he has throughout his political career, endeavored to promote harmony in the society and work for all shades of people irrespective of caste, colour and creed.
“My efforts to hasten the process of development in the State are well acknowledged by the intelligentsia and the people and I would persist with my vision of removing poverty and backwardness from the State the way I successfully attempted to eradicate polio from the country,” said Azad.
Azad was speaking to the people in Bhadwerwah after inaugurating the ‘Bhaderwah Tourism Festival’- a tradition that was started by him as Chief Minister of the State.Azad said Chenab Valley is known for captivating scenic splendour and rich cultural treasure and both these assets are to be showcased to the external world for opening the avenues of employment and growth. “I made a sincere effort as Chief Minister to promote the rich scenic and cultural treasure of Chenab Valley and, thankfully some success has been achieved in this direction. We have attracted lots of tourists to this region and even some of the popular tele-serials have been shot in Bhaderwah in recent years. Tourism Development Authority has been established at Kishtwar,” said Azad.
Recognizing the need to do more to convert the entire Chenab Valley into a self-contained tourism destination having the facilities of leisure, adventure and pilgrim tourism, Azad said if given an opportunity by the people, Congress Government will have a ‘master plan’ formulated for the entire Chenab Valley in the context of tourism development and get it implemented in a time-bound manner.He said we can have best summer golfing destination in Jammu province at Lal Draman in Doda and at the same time white water rafting, trekking and pilgrim tourism facilities can be created in Kishtwar. Azad recalled that Kishtwar once used to be a hot trekking destination for foreigners due to its mesmerizing and world renowned treks found in Marwah, Warwan and Padder areas.
“We have succeeded in getting a few tourism projects sanctioned for Lal Draman, Machil (padder) and Sinthan-Chattroo during the last financial year and I call upon the Tourism Minister to quicken the pace of execution of these projects, said Sh Azad adding that more sustained and coherent effort is required to big boost to tourist infrastructure building.Azad said he has a vision for all the unexplored areas of the State and that he will try his utmost to give them a break, mentioning that it will open floodgates of employment for our youth in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Azad also delved on the glorious cultural traditions of Chenab Valley and recollected the enormous contributions made by its poets, singers and artists, especially Rasa Javidani and Janbaaz Kishtwari. Urging the people of the region to promote the rich legacy of Rasa and Janbaaz, Sh Azad exuded confidence that Chenab Valley is producing a rich pool of talented youngsters who are winning laurels for this region and that the cultural future of this region remains bright.
He was accompanied by the senior Congress leaders and Tourism Minster Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Minster for Public Health Engineering Sham Lal Sharma and Roads and Building Minster, Abdul Majid Wani besides PCC secretary Salman Nizami. The accompanying ministers speaking on the occasion, reposed complete faith in the leadership of Azad and stated that it was a privilege for them to receive his guidance in the past and they will be pleased to work under him in future as well.The senior Congress leader also met people during his journey from Doda to Bhaderwah at Pranu, Malnie, Bhalla, Seri, Drudhu and Gatha. Heassured them that his doors are open for all people irrespective of religion and caste.Urging people to vote for the Congress Party in upcoming Assembly elections to bring back an era of development which he started as Chief Minister of state, Azad who started his whirlwind tour of Chenab valley said his party suffered in the Parliamentary elections due to communal vote polarization by some parties.
Azad is on a four day tour of Chenab Valley to express his gratitude to the people of the region who voted for him in huge numbers in spite of an insalubrious atmosphere created by pisive forces.He addressed his first public meeting at Ramban and then flew to Surankote to attend the funeral of Ch Mohammad Aslam, alongwith Chief Minister and Prof Saif-uddin Soz, PCC President, a veteran Congress leader who passed away after prolonged illness. Later Azad addressed a public gathering at Doda, while his programmes at Batote and Assar had to be called off due to his unforeseen visit to Surankote on account of death of Ch Aslam.