Srinagar
A two day ‘Youth Festival’ organized by Army at Baramulla concluded on Wednesday.
“ Aptly titled as ‘Jashn-e-Baramulla’, the Youth Empowerment festival was held on 25 – 26 April 2017 at the famous Showkat Ali Stadium in Govt. Degree College, Baramulla,” Army spokesperson said in a statement. “ Based on the theme of Kashmiriyat, the festival also highlighted the rich culture & traditions of the AWAM while showcasing the talent and potential of the Kashmiri Youth.”
A number of cultural activities were performed at the event that started on Tuesday.
“Conducted on a massive scale, Jashn-e-Baramulla emerged as a multi faceted event where ‘MEENA BAZAR’ – a Kashmiri Small Scale Industries shopping complex with local handicraft products & Walnut furniture was established,” the statement said. “ The Food Plaza which has famous food joints from Srinagar to include Mughal Darbar, Adoos, Hattrick, Delhi-Ki-Rasoi and other local cuisine specialists created KHANA KHAZANA and was a major attraction for the local AWAM. In addition the CHILDRENS’ CORNER with Merry Go-Round, Mickey Mouse and other rides, offering free rides for women and children, turned out to be a crowd puller. Highlighting the unique bond between the Army and the AWAM a ‘KNOW YOUR ARMY’ exhibition was also organised, where, depicting the military valour, avenues of joining the Armed Forces were also highlighted to the youth.”
The statement further said that :“The biggest highlight of the festival was setting up of a platform for ‘Job Placements’ in MNCs through a ‘Job Fair’ where Walk-In interviews were conducted by renowned firms, granting immediate placements to 343 Kashmiri youth with handsome salaries. Another highlight was the Raffle Draws where fifteen attractive Lucky draw prizes were won by the local populace including a TVS Apache 200cc bike and a Honda Activa Scooter. The event and the bonhomie reaffirmed the close ties of Army with the local Awam.”
Others events included a Free Medical Camp for about 1256 ailing persons and ex Servicemen Helpline Center for a Single Window solution to the pension issues, it said, and Sufi & Cultural Musical performances by renowned Kashmiri artists enthralled the audience over the two day festival.
The Closing Ceremony was attended by Lt Gen JS Sandhu, GOC, Chinar Corps along with Javed Mustafa Geelani, IGP Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, GOC Chinar Corps “stressed upon the need to engage youth towards maintaining peace in the Valley.” “He exhorted the youth to acquire good education & skills for a brighter future and assured full help from the Army in fields of Education, Skilling and Sports,” the statement added.
