Minister for Tourism, G.A. Mir said that Kashmir Valley is spiritually, culturally and literally rich because of its sons of soil, like Sufis, Saints, Scholars, Poets and other literary personalities. The Minister was addressing first ever globally live telecast function of Kul Hind Mushaira, held at SKICC last evening and organized by J&K Tourism Department in collaboration with ETV, Doordarshan Kendra, Radio Kashmir Srinagar and Cultural Academy.He said that the literature plays a pivotal able in harmonizing various sections of the society adding that the main objective of organizing Mushaira was to spread message of love, fraternity and above all the hospitality for which Kashmir is famous world over. Calling the guest poets, stars of poetry, the Minister said that Kashmir Valley feels blessed by their arrival and every Kashmiri welcomed them wholeheartedly because of their stature in literary circles.
Minister for Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad and MLA Pahalgam also attended the function.Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Talat Pervez in his opening remarks hoped that the Mushaira will add to the fame and name of Kashmir in every corner of the globe. He said four hour live telecast will do better to flourish tourism sector in the country and other parts of the globe. Earlier, noted critic, academician and poet Prof. Rehman Rahi welcomed the guests with a verse of ‘Wahab Khar’, a great poet of Valley. Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Managing Director Cable Car Corporation, Managing Director JKTDC and SSP Srinagar also attended the function.
As many as 17 poets from across the country and six from Valley participated in the Mushaira. They include Waseem Barelvi, Rahat Indori, Munawar Rana, Manzar Bhopali, Mansoor Usmani, Shakeel Aazmi, Naseem Nikhat, Dr. Sabiyha Naaz, Nawaz Dewbandi, Tahir Faraz, Anjum Barabanki, Akeel Nomani, Zero Bandari, Afzal Manglori, Jaleel Shirwani, Charan Singh Bashar, Ashok Sahil, Farooq Nazki, Rafiq Raaz, Muzaffar, Rukhsana Jabeen, Nasreen Naqash and Shafat Sopori.Afzal Manlori was the first poet who presented Naat-i-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAW) on the occasion whileas Prof. Waseem Barelvi presided over the function and Mansoor Usmani conducted the proceedings.