SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, on Tuesday, conducted a review of the preparations for the upcoming “GI Mahotsav,” scheduled to take place at Kashmir Haat in the first week of October this year.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of Agriculture Production, Principal Secretary of Education, Commissioner Secretary of RDD (Rural Development Department), Commissioner Secretary of Industries & Commerce, Secretary of Hospitality & Protocol, Director of Information, Director of Industries (Kashmir), and representatives from Kashmir University and SKUAST (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology), Kashmir.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary examined all the arrangements to ensure the success of the event. He advised the concerned departments to explore the possibility of incorporating additional themes related to art and culture into the Mohatsav to attract more visitors to the venue.
He suggested considering common interest themes such as music, painting, essay writing, a food court, and other attractions to draw people from various backgrounds and make the Mahatsav appealing to individuals from all walks of life.
Dr Mehta also encouraged the participation of anyone with a direct or indirect interest in GI tagging. He further urged them to provide opportunities to individuals identified during the Panchayat-level talent hunt or the “Beats of J&K” program conducted by the Information Department.
During the meeting, Shailendra Kumar, the Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, shared that around 100 GI-tagged products would be featured, including about 25 from the Union Territory. He also mentioned that the Mohatsav would include attractions such as flower, fruit, and vegetable shows in addition to the GI Mohatsav at the venue.
The meeting also discussed various arrangements required for the successful execution of the program. It included discussions on boarding, lodging, and transportation arrangements for artisans coming from different parts of the country, as well as the media plan for extensive publicity of the Mahotsav through radio and public spaces. (KNO)
