SOFI JAHANGIR
Amid Covid 19 and unabated cold wave, Christmas was celebrated with religious fervour in Kashmir on Friday with special prayers for peace held at the churches across the Valley. The churches across the Srinagar were decorated with lights, balloons and ribbons to celebrate Christmas. Earlier The Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir, had organised Christmas Eve Celebrations at SKICC and at St Mary’s Church, Gulmarg in which the members of Christian Community, and tourists participated.
With one of the famous Ski Destinations of World, ‘Gulmarg’ which is already abuzz and jam packed with Tourists from all around the India to celebrate the two bigger events Christmas and New Year which is yearly organised by Directorate of Tourism of Kashmir.
Pertinent to mention that Tourism department has been on toes to review the Tourism in Kashmir amid Covid 19 Pandemic which is still looming all around the world. “All Sops and Guidelines are in place the Tourism department has set the Covid19 testing facility at Srinagar Airport, TRC, and at Entry gates of Tourist destinations which are opened for tourists this winters in Kashmir”, said Ideel Saleem Deputy Director Tourism.
While speaking to one of the Tourist from Delhi she said, ” Celebrating white Christmas was like I heard and dreamed in my life, today it is like a dream coming true, I am happy to visit on a festive occasion in Kashmir.”
On the festive Occassion Directorate of Tourism had also arranged “Baand Pather” ( Kashmiri folk Theatre art) to make the stay of Tourists enjoyable throughout the day.
Earlier Advisor to Lt Governor Baseer Khan and Commissioner Secretary also extended their warm wishes to Christian Community on Christmas Eve.
Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahamed while extending the wishes said, in coming days we are going to open more Tourism programmes and we are hopeful of Good Tourism this winters.
Pertinent to mention that Commissioner Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez has been seen and recognised by the department as key man behind the revival of Tourism in Kashmir, earlier while speaking exclusively to Commissioner Secretary Tourism Sarmad Hafeez said, “lot of Programmes are in que this winters, we have also ski programmes for locals and Tourists, and entire Kashmir is to explore when it comes to tourism.”
Meanwhile, there was no relief from the severe cold that has been lashing the valley for a fortnight with minimum temperatures reaching minus 6.0 degrees Celsius in Srinagar minus 7.7 in Pahalgam and minus 10.0in Gulmarg.