Jammu
Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu on Wednesday directed for development and promotion of Sufi circuit besides focusing on giving a fillip to spiritual tourism in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which is popularly known as the land of Saints and Sufis since time immemorial.
The Lt Governor said this during a meeting, convened to take stock of functioning of Culture department in Jammu.
The Lt Governor laid special focus on working out a comprehensive plan for developing Sufi Circuits in J&K, which is blessed with several revered shrines of different faiths.
In this regard, he directed the concerned to conduct a detailed census of existing Shrines and festivals observed there which would help in for formulation of a comprehensive plan for promotion of Sufi Circuits.
BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Zubair Ahmad, Secretary Culture Department; Munir Ul Islam Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums were among the officers who attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor was informed that there are 129 public libraries, 53 protected monuments and 8 heritage sites in Jammu and Kashmir. Further, about 600 rare manuscripts, 500 painting exhibits, 300 artifacts and an equal number of miniature paintings have been preserved.
Reviewing the status of preservation of historical records, documents and old repositories, the Lt. Gov was informed that digitization of records both in Jammu and Kashmir is in progress. The Lt Governor instructed the concerned authorities to expedite the process in this regard.
The Lt Governor observed that the historical manuscripts and files should be opened for public for mass awareness and further academic and research activities.
The Lt Governor asked the concerned departments to work in synergy and involve them entirely to ensure the desired outcomes and promote rare art forms of Union territory of J&K.
