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Tourism to hitch ride on J&K float
Change has come to Jammu and Kashmir and it’ll be for all to see come Republic Day. With new government in place, the focus squarely is on development and promoting tourism, reports Aurangzeb Naqshbandi.
Change has come to Jammu and Kashmir and it’ll be for all to see come Republic Day. With new government in place, the focus squarely is on development and promoting tourism.
The state’s tableau for the Republic Day will bring to the Rajpath the tourism potential of all the three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Designed by a Delhi-based creative consultant Chushool Mahaldar, the tableau aims to project the state as a safe destination for visitors from across the globe. “We want to tell the world that Jammu and Kashmir is a safe tourist destination, Mahaldar, who has been designing J&K tableau for the last four years, told HT.
Replica of a Gompa — monastery where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice religion — will pull the houseboat-shaped tableau. Ladakh is famous for Gompas.
In the “houseboat” will be seated musicians playing traditional instruments like rabab, sarangi, matka (pitcher), harmonium and tumbhaknar.
Kudd dance, performed at the end of sowing or harvesting, will represent Jammu. “I get peace of mind and emotional fulfilment by designing the tableau of my state,” Mahaldar, who shifted from Srinagar about 20 years ago, said.
The state’s promotion bid will be backed by the Railways, which plans to showcase “Train to Kashmir” at this year’s parade. The Kashmir Valley got its first train in October.
