Gulamarg 1 January (KNB): New year celebrations enchant ski resort Gulmarg and Pahalgam amid the jaw freezing cold of Chillai Kalan with a host of activities organised by Directorate of Tourism.
In Gulmarg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang Kondbarao Pole as the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated activities such as night skiing around 6 pm, as the world famous place clocked towards the New Year.
Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Nisar A Wani, CEO Gulmarg, Inam ul Haq, Joint Director Tabassum Kamili, Deputy Director Ideel Saleem, Assistant Director Gulmarg Javed ur Rehman and senior officers from the department and district administration besides the representatives from travel trade and hotel association bodies were present on the occasion.
Similarly, famous Sufi singer Shafi Sopori bewitched the crowd at Pahalgam Club, among locals, foreigners and tourists from India were present.
Assistant Director Pehalgam, CEO Pahalgam, Tehsildar Pehelgam and some senior journalists were present in the occasion and were charmed by the roar of crowd during the hypnotic performance by Sopori
Assistant Director Pahalgam told Kashmir News Bureau that amid the celebrations of the New Year, these events are organized annually and scores of people enlighten the place and club with their presence.
He further said that around a thousand tourists visit pahalgam each day to admire the beauty and feel at peace in life.
“2020 has been a tough year for all and we hope 2021 brings better times for all of us,” he said.
Accordingly, in Gulmarg scores of people among tourists from across the country, who were already in Gulmarg turned up at the venue to enjoy the night skiing exhibition. Participation of Ski enthusiasts as well as tourists in other fun-filled activities including bonfire, fireworks etc, lasted around midnight.
In Gulmarg the main function was held at Golf Club, where several artists enthralled the audiences with their cultural, musical and skit performances.
During the event, artists from the Valley including famous stand up comedian Nazir Josh entertained the audience.
Divisional Commissioner interacted with the recently trained skiers by the tourism department for the beginners course and later extended New Year greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and hoped the year brings happiness and prosperity in everyone’s year.
The ski resort has witnessed rise in visiting tourists during the last month of 2020, after drastic impact on the tourism sector due to the on going pandemic.
Director tourism extended his New Year greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and also said that the ski resort Gulmarg is jam packed with the tourists on New Year which was possible as a result of the department’s continued efforts to promote Kashmir as a safe destination in the ongoing pandemic. (KNB)