Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today inaugurated 8-day ‘Diwali’ festival organized by Apsara Road Traders Association (APTA), here this evening at Gandhi Nagar.Commissioner JMC Mr. Kiran Wattal, Vice-Chairman JDA Mr. Kuldeep Lal Khajuria, Director Tourism Mr. Soujanya Sharma, Managing Director JK Housing Board Ram Pal Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police Atul Goel besides representatives of APTA and a large number of prominent citizens of Gandhi Nagar were present at the inaugural function.The renowned artists of Jammu presented colourful cultural items including Dogra folk, Pahari, Punjabi and Kashmiri songs which were highly applauded by the gathering at Dussehra ground.In his inaugural address, Mr. Bhalla said Diwali festival signifying the victory of good against the evil is celebrated throughout the world with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The Minister said Diwali, being the festival of lights, it conveys a message of lighting the lamp of knowledge within that means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the 8-day of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to the day-to-day lives. He said each year on the dawn of Ammavaasa in the month ‘Kartik’ the glittering diyas, the dazzling fireworks, sounds of crackers announces the arrival of the most vibrant festival of India-Diwali.Mr. Bhalla said the word ‘Diwali’ has its origin in the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" which means "rows of light".The Minister said people from all religions forget their differences and get together to celebrate this vivacious festival of lights. Every home, be it a hut or a mansion is decorated with illuminating Diyas and candles. The entrances are ornamented with flowers and rangolis to welcome Goddess ‘Lakshmi’, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.He hoped that the festival will usher the state in the era of peace and development.