Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated ‘Jashn-e-Kashmir- New Kashmir New Hope’, a three-week long cultural festival celebrating tradition, culture and heritage, in Srinagar on Tuesday.

The cultural festival is being organized by All J&K Folk Artists Association, Shah Qalander Folk Theatre, in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, and the Office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

Congratulating everyone associated with the cultural festival, the Lt Governor said, “Our unique diversity is our pride and our biggest strength. Such festivals will encourage artists, artisans, and craftsmen to promote the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”.

The Lt Governor said that the government is working out a roadmap for preserving and reviving the culture and folk traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.

After a long pause, we are witnessing a cultural revival in J&K. Several schemes for promoting folk arts, literature and visual arts have been prepared to give a new impetus to art and culture, added the Lt Governor.

We have taken steps to reconnect youth to their roots and provide an environment and a forum to folk artists, visual artists, and authors to showcase our shared goals and values, observed the Lt Governor.

Schemes like ‘Guru Shishya Parampara’ to pass on the valued traditions of Jammu Kashmir to the coming generations; preservation of folklore, UT writers camp, national theatre festivals, inter-state cultural exchange programmes, international visits and cultural events in far-flung areas will strengthen our traditional cultural richness, informed the Lt Governor.

Our artists are reflections of social values, and social progress, and the administration is fully committed to their welfare, said the Lt Governor.

We are aware of the difficulties being faced by many such senior artists, and writers who are not active today due to ill health and the hardships of the families of those artists who are not with us anymore. The Government will ensure such artists, writers, or their dependents are provided with financial assistance, the Lt Governor informed.

Appreciating the role of voluntary organizations and institutions for the promotion of literature, folk art, and music, the Lt Governor informed that the scheme of financial assistance for the registered societies related to various arts has also been approved.

The Lt Governor also highlighted the efforts being made to document and preserve the folk treasure of songs and tales.

The Lt Governor urged the cultural organizations, departments, artists, and people to work collectively for preserving the precious cultural and folk traditions of Jammu Kashmir.

He also felicitated the artists for their excellent contribution in preserving and promoting the local art, culture and folk traditions.

Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board in her address lauded the contribution of the artists who are the face of the culture and values of J&K and the country. She said that the LG-led UT administration has provided a new lifeline to the field of art and culture in J&K.

Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Chairman, All J&K Folk Artists Association expressed gratitude to the Lt Governor for providing continuous support to art, culture and artists of J&K. He said the renewed energy being filled in the field of art and culture of Jammu Kashmir has brought prosperity in the life of all artistes across the UT.

He also thanked the Lt Governor-led administration for launching the J&K film policy and other initiatives for promoting art, culture and traditions of Jammu Kashmir and the welfare of performing artists.

On the occasion performances of different folk music and dance were presented by artists from across the UT.

Mustaque Ali Ahmad Khan, Cultural Activist delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Mohammad Aijaz, DC Srinagar; Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary, JKAACL, besides prominent personalities from the field of art, folk and culture attended the inaugural ceremony at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.

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