Three Day Heritage Fair begins at Kala Kendra

Ethnic vibrancy of Gujjar-Bakerwal culture, heritage on show

Three-day Gujjar Heritage Fair, the first of its kind exposition of culture and tradition of noble nomads of the state, started at the Kala Kendra, here today.

Organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the exclusive event showcasing richness of the ethnic way of life of Gujjar and Bakerwals through exhibition of costumes, jewelry, artifacts and objects of daily use, along with age-old legacy of folk lore, music as well as Gojri contemporary literature published so far, is being considered as community’s mega cultural event in modern times.

The must-see event not only provided a glimpse into the unique ethnic practices and vibrancy of nomadic community wherein form and function combine in an inimitable blend of aesthetic and functionality, but also drew attention towards an urgent need to preserving it for posterity.

The three-day mega cultural event was inaugurated by Mian Altaf, Minster for Forests and Environment, and Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Minster of State of for Hajj and Auqaf, Mushtaq Ahmed Sayed Bukhari, Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for Pahari Speaking People, Jahangir Mir, MLC, Atal Dullo, Commissioner, Tourism & Culture and Secretary Academy, were also present on the occasion.

Congratulating the Academy and Dr Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor, Gojari, for the historic initiative, Mian Altaf, in his address said that such exhibitions not only provide a peep into the rich cultural treasures of the community but also will also help in a great way to orient the new generation of the Gujjars and Bakerwals with their roots.

Echoing similar sentiments Aijaz Ahmed Khan, said that the show was energetic, colorful and exciting. He said Academy should preserve this for all generations to come. Terming the heritage fair as ‘a nice effort’, Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari said that such events were needed and should be held at regular intervals.

Atal Dulloo in his welcome address described the event as first of its kind in recent times and said that the Academy would continue the tradition of holding such events in future also.

Dr Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor Gojri, said we are documenting all the shades of Gujjar identity especially the tradition of nomads which are dying down due to onslaught of globalisation. Mohammed Mansha Khaki, senior editor Gojri, presented vote of thanks.

Inaugural session was followed by ‘meet the eminent contemporary’ programme with founder editor of Gojri, Choudhary Naseem Poonchi, which was presided over by former secretary Academy N D Sharma, Fazal Mushtaq and Choudhary Gulzar Khatana. A dance show was also held on the occasion. The NGOs which also participated in the Heritage Fair included Gurjardesh Charitable Trust, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, Majlis-un Nissa, Sopore, Kashmir and Abrol Manuscripts, Rare Book Library, Jammu. While the exhibition’s display was done by well-known sculptor Chander Prakash.

The prominent personalities present on the occasion were Farooq Nazki, Media advisor to Government, N D Jamwal, Prof Rita Jitendra, Rajinder Tikku, Aiyaz Rasool Nazaki, and Prof Zahoor-ud-Din. The three-day festival would culminate on March 21.

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2 Day Employment fair from March 14

To bring awareness among the people especially UN-employed youth about Self Employment Schemes and programmes being implemented, the department of Employment and Counseling Centre, Anantnag is organizing two days “Employment Fair” from March 14, 2012 at Sports Stadium, Anantnag.This was revealed at a meeting of officers convened by District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Syed Kifayat Hussain Rizvi here today.

The meeting was told that during the fair, besides disseminating information to the general public about the Employment Schemes being implemented by various departments, the unemployed youth will be provided counselling, motivation in order to take up entrepreneurship as a carrier option outside government jobs.

The departments of Horticulture, Agriculture, Animal/Sheep Husbandry, District Industries Centre, Fisheries and Sericulture will establish their stalls at the Fair, the meeting was informed. The District Development Commissioner stressed upon the concerned officers to ensure the participation of farming community and other unemployed youth in the fair enabling the participants to take full advantages of the self employment schemes and programmes

3 days Employment fair at Hiranagar

A 3-day employment fair was inaugurated by the Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment Abdul Gani Malik at Hiranagar today.

Member Parliament, Ch. Lal Singh, Member Legislative Assembly, Hiranagar, Durga Dass, District Development Commissioner, Kathua Zahida Khan, Deputy Director Employment, Natasha Kalsotra, Sectoral officers and large number of unemployed youth were present on the occasion.

The dignitaries went round various stalls set up by the various departments to provide information to aspiring youth about various self-employment schemes. They interacted with the stall holders and enquired about the facilities being provided to youth.

Addressing the function, the Minister Mr. Malik appealed youth to take up self-employment ventures under various schemes launched by several departments. He said that Government cannot provide job to all, hence self-employment is the best solution of unemployment crisis.

Mr. Malik while apprising the youth about the steps being taken by the Government for betterment of youth asked the officers to ameliorate the lot of people in general and educated unemployed youth in particular.

Member Parliament Ch. Lal Singh impressed upon officers to work for welfare of youth and extend hassle free awareness, guidance and counseling to them so that the young unemployed persons would feel comfortable in taking up a particular scheme for setting up of a unit under self-employment programme.

He said Central Government is committed to extend all possible help to State Government for the purpose and it is the duty of State functionaries to make judicious use of funds being provided by the Centre.

MLA Hiranagar also addressed the function.

Earlier, District Development Commissioner Kathua apprised the dignitaries about the steps taken by the district administration for organizing employment fair.

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3-day employment fair inaugurated at Poshkar Khag

Under the new initiative of state government to organize employment fairs in all districts of the state. The district employment and counseling centre Budgam in collaboration with district administration organized 3 day employment fair from November 2 to 24, 2011 at Poshkar Khag. The aim of conducting this employment fair is to make aware common masses articularly the employees educated youth about various self employment schemes and programmes launched by the state government. The employment fair inaugurated by District Development Commissioner, Budgam who was the chief guest on the occasion and was accompanied by concerned heads of the participating offices. As many as 20 departments financial institutions have established their stalls in the fair demonstrating and depicting their productions, incentives and programmes. In his welcome address, the District Employment Officer, Budgam said that during the fair unemployed youths of the  surrounding areas would be encouraged to set up income generating units under various SES programmes. In addition, employment departments will also register the eligible candidate under VSA scheme besides other departments/institutions have also been asked to carryout the same in the intent of minimizing the unemployment menace. The DDC Budgam on the occasion, said that this is the fourth such kind of employment fair organized since last year in the  district. He said there are opportunities in offing were from alternative employment opportunities can be created government jobs are not only source of employment available. He appealed the youth to participate in the 3 day event and make themselves aware about these schemes and opportunities.Later, the DDC distributed cheques worth Rs. 40 lakh among 70 beneficiaries sponsored by J&K Bank and other financial institutions for establishing their own income generating units under various SES particularly SHG, SGSY.

Jhiri Mela 2011 Begins

Nine–day long Jhiri Mela begins with pomp and show

The nine-day long Jhiri Mela started with much pomp and show today with lakhs of devotees from Jammu region and different parts of Northern India thronging the shrine of Baba Jitoo to participate in the inaugural function.

The rush started from early in the morning with the devotees coming form Punjab and other parts of the Northern India thronging the shrine. The Managing Committee of Jhiri Mela and district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. A large number of stalls, games for fun were also installed with children as well other people busy in enjoying fun. The children participated in fun and frolic enjoying swings, slides, marigold and other games. A dangal was also held on the occasion, which ended into a tie.

The Mela was inaugurated by Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla. The stalls were also installed by various Government and public sector and private organizations for exhibition of their products. The Jhiri Mela is said to be one of the biggest gatherings in Northern India where lakhs of people turn up every year.

The stalls were installed by Agriculture, Horticulture, Drug Control Organization and Rural Development Departments.

The authorities have also made elaborate security arrangements for the Mela. There was such a huge rush that the devotees were spread up to two kilometer area while others were waiting in long queues to pay their obeisance at the shrine of Baba Jitto.

Entire Jhiri area and the shrine of Baba Jitto was fully decorated befitting the occasion. Due to the heavy rush of pilgrims and yatri vehicles directly coming from Punjab and other states to participate in the Yatra there was a huge traffic jam on Akhnoor road also.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Bhalla said that Government is making all out efforts to provide better facilities to devotees at Baba Jitto devsathan at Shama Chak adding that efforts are also being made to bring this revered place on the tourist map.

MLA Indu Pawar, MLA Bharat Bhushan, District Development Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma, Director Rural Development Department Shafiq Raina, Sarpanch Ashok Mahajan besides other senior officers of RDD, PHE, R&B, Agriculture, Horticulture, PDD and Industries accompanied the Minister.

The Minister asked the officers to maintain close coordination between the Management Committee and different agencies associated with the Mela to ensure success of this annual event. He laid thrust on ensuring availability of un-interrupted power, water supply and adequate stock of medicines and other essentials at the Mela site. He also directed the concerned to ensure proper sanitation in the Mela site.

Bhalla took round of all the stalls displayed by different departments to facilitate the people and directed the officers of agriculture, Horticulture and Floriculture Departments to educate the people about various Government schemes and incentives so that people could avail the benefits.

The Minister said Government has already announced certain measures for the beautification of all the ancient shrines across the State including Baba Jitto and Baba Sidh Goria shrines for attracting the tourists and pilgrims.

Remembering the life history of Baba Jitto, the Minister said Baba Jitto worked for the upliftment of poor, weak and downtrodden sections especially farming community throughout his life. He said teachings of Baba Jitto serve as beacon light for the humanity forever.

Baba Jitto a great spiritual saint was the devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and he used to visit for the prayers to the holy shrine daily from his native village Garkot in Katra. Pleased with his devotion, the Mata Vaishno took birth as a girl child in his house, he added.

The Samadhi of Baba Ji was installed at Jhiri over 650 years back on Kartik Purnima and since then as a traditional Mela is held every year here in which lakhs of people drawn from different parts of the country participate. With this supreme sacrifice the Baba Ji has given the message that fighting the injustice is the real dharma. His daughter also went into Samadhi along with her father, he said, adding a temple of Mata was later constructed adjacent to his Samadhi.

Earlier, the Minister alongwith his wife Indira Bhalla also paid obeisance to Baba Jitto and Bua Kauri devsathan at the shrine. The Minister also witnessed the wrestling competition, which was organized by the Managing Committee on the occasion.

Mr. Bhalla distributed prizes among the wrestlers. He also gave away mementoes to different departments whose stalls were adjudged the best.

Meanwhile to ensure availability of wholesome food articles to general public during Jhiri Mela a special drive was carried out by the Department of Drugs and Food Control Organization J&K to register all food sale establishments which have opened temporary outlets during the Mela. About 259 vendors were registered under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.