A 2-day Aryan Folk Festival at Garkone Changrah, Kargil concluded Wednesday in which 100 artists from Darchiks, Garkone, Sanachay, Hordass, Gargardo and adjoining villages presented their traditional music and dance forms organized by the Tourism Department Kargil in collaboration with the Preservation of Aryan Culture and Traditional Society (PACES).Superintendent of Police Kargil Dr Vinod Kumar, Commanding Officer 16 JAKLI Col Vinod Joshi, prominent citizens, officers of civil and police administration besides domestic, forgein tourists and researchers were present during the inaugural function. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary while congratulating the artists for outstanding rendering of their performances said that the two day festival has been organized with the objective to preserve and promote the rich and unique Aryan culture of the district which has a distinction of its own the world over.He urged the Aryan people particularly the youngsters to strive hard to cherish and uphold the rich cultural traditions and age old ethos of communal harmony, unison with nature and peaceful co-existence so that these are passed on to the coming generations in their true essence.Meanwhile, on the second day of the festival held at the Women Empowerment Centre (WEC) of the 16 JAKLI of Indian Army at Darchiks artists presented a number of folk music and dance performances which were based on themes of nationality and patriotism, bravery of the Aryan race, communal harmony, love and care for nature and sentient beings and other related themes.
A number of dignitaries including the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, prominent citizens, civil , police and Army officers, domestic and forgein tourists and researchers besides a large number artists and cultural enthusiasts were present on the occasion.Later the dignitaries visited the stalls of ethnic food and local fruit and handicraft products been put by the local exhibitors.Assistant Director Tourism Kargil Aga Syed Tawha delivered the vote of thanks while as Lecturer Zoology Nawang Sharap and Lecturer Hindi Tsering Dolkar conducted the proceedings of the two-day festival.On the sidelines of the festival, the DC met a number of public delegations at Garkone, Darchiks and adjoining villages who projected their issues and demands The demands and issues projected by the people of Garkone area included construction of central sponsored school like JNV, KV in the area, extension of link road of Garkone village, construction of cultural centre and community hall, up gradation of Medical Sub Centre (MSC) to Primary Health Centre (PHC), up gradation of High School to Higher Secondary School, provision of funds for flood restoration works, provision of solar lights facility to Garkone Gonpa and other related demands.The DC after giving a patient hearing to all the issues and concerns of people said that all genuine demands would be considered on priority and steps for fulfilment will be taken up in a phased manner.