Nikhil Majotra of Jammu was declared as best singer and got the most prestigious first prize in the mega final event of All India Devotional Song Competition organized by the Department of Tourism, J&K Government, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Katra and District Administration during Navratra festival which concluded amidst chanting of bhajans and beating of drums at Yog Ashram, last night.Chaman Lehari of Reasi and Mr. Yasir Hussain of Jammu bagged
second and third prizes respectively in the bhaint competition.Minster for Tourism, Mr. G.A. Mir was the chief guest on the occasion. Additional Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, Dr. M.K. Bhandari, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and Director Tourism, Jammu, Mr. Soujanya Sharma accompanied the Minister.Noted Bollywood personalities including Actor Aftab Shivdasani, Managing Director of Venus Records & Tapes Ltd., Ganesh Jain,Trade Analyst and producer, Vikas Mohan,Ramesh Turani Managing Director Tips Industries, Chief Executive Officer, Zee jagran Mrs. Barkha Arora, were the judges of the mega final.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister complemented the Managing Committee of Navratra Festival and other organizations for extending their cooperation in making the event a grand success. He said that the annual festival is gaining prominence at national level and it is the time to take the event at international level which is only possible with maximum the participation and cooperation of local people.He also appreciated the noted Bollywood personalities for making it a point to ensure their presence in the mega competition saying that this would help the budding talent to get inspiration and excel in the field of music. The Minister asked Bollywood to come and shoot in the state as the state offer unmatched natural locations which film makers would discover only when they come and visit it.He also announced Rs. 2 lakh prize for the mega finalist from next year instead of Rs. 1lakh adding that women participant gets top position in the event she would be given Rs. 3 Lakh.
Earlier, the Minister lit the sacred Jyoti near Asia chowk, Katra which was taken out in the form of a colourful procession with jhankies depicting the rich culture heritage of the state. He said these type of events depicting rich cultural heritage would definitely help to promote tourism industry. He urged upon the people to come at this holy town and experience the spiritual bliss of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.The Minister also gave away prizes worth Rs. one lakh in shape of gold to the first winner, Cheques amounting Rs. 25,000/- and Rs. 15,000/- were given to second and third winners of the mega bhaint competition. Addl. Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra, while speaking on the occasion lauded the sincere efforts of all organizations associated with the Navratra festival for its successful culmination.
Noted Bollywood Actor Aaftab Shivdasani while speaking on the occasion complimented the organizer for successful conduct of the programme and suggested maximum female participation in the next year event.Mr. Rakesh Wazir, who was coordinating the mega event, compered the proceeding of the programme. Among others, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Mr. Shiv Kumar Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Rajinder Singh Tara, Superintendent of Police, Katra, Pawan Parihar, members of Navratra Festival Celebration Committee, Prominent citizens, large number of locals and pilgrims were also present on the occasion.