Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said that J&K is a beautiful blend of diverse cultures which gives the State a distinct identity to be preserved and promoted for the posterity.Dr Singh said this while speaking at a cultural event “Jashn-e-Azadi” organized by the Department of Information and Public Relations at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium here, as part of 71st Independence Day celebrations.Minister for FCS&CA and Information, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali Minister for Horticulture Syed Basharat Bukhari, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary, Minister of State for Hajj and Auqaf, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi, Vice-Chairman, OBC Welfare Board, Rashpaul Verma Legislators, Surinder Choudhary and Ramesh Arora, , Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu Prof R D Sharma, Secretary to Govt, Information Department, M H Malik, Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, R A Inquilabi, Director Information, Muneer-ul-Islam and senior officers and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
While addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister said that J&K is moving steady on the path of peace and prosperity and a slew of development initiatives are underway which will transform the state’s socio-economic landscape.Listing the developmental initiatives launched by the present dispensation, the Dy Chief Minister said that the government has established IIT, IIM, IIMC, AIIMS and various other development projects including multi-tier parking, flyover at Bikram Chowk and expansion of Jammu airport terminal while many more are at various stages of completion.While appreciating the photo exhibition organized by the Information Department, Dr Singh said the development initiatives launched by the by the government have been vividly highlighted in the exhibition which must be witnessed by people from all sections of the society. He also appreciated the documentary “Badtay Qadam” which outstandingly reflects the developmental transformation in the state.In his address Minister for FCS&CA and Information, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said the coalition government headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is putting in concerted efforts to ensure overall development of the state and meet the aspirations of the people in all the regions and sub-regions. He said it is vital to preserve and promote the diverse cultural heritage of state.
The Minister appreciated the Information Department for putting up a splendid show and said the department has exceptionally professional human resource and giftedly talented artists to bank upon. He said a series of events are being organized by DIPR to promote the culture of the state.Reiterating the government’s resolve to build the DIPR as a professional department and work for the welfare of the journalists, the Minister said the journalists are facing tough challenges in the state and the government will take all the requisite measures into consideration for wellbeing of the journalist fraternity. He said the Information Department is being overhauled to bring it up as professional organization with technically qualified human resource.The dignitaries also unveiled the Information Department’s logo and released the publications highlighting the developmental and welfare initiatives of the government.Later, the dignitaries also distributed the prizes among the winners of painting and singing competition organized by DIPR. The designer of the logo, Asif Amin Tibet Baqual was also honoured for his creative work.Director, Information Muneer–ul–Islam presented the Vote of Thanks.Among others, Joint Director Information Jammu, Manisha Sarin, Joint Director (HQ), Directorate of Information, Abdul Majid Zargar and other senior officers of the department were also present on the occasion.