by Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
SRINAGAR: New Year celebrations may not be unfamiliar globally, but for many Kashmiris, the last day of 2023, celebrated across various locations in the valley, offered a novel experience.
Musical performances in public are not unprecedented in Kashmir. However, on the eve of the new year, when Lal Chowk dazzled with lights and music, it marked the first celebration of New Year in the heart of the city.
The Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, organized a musical event at Srinagar’s Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower area), where hundreds, including many non-locals, gathered for the New Year festivities.
Earlier, Srinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner and CEO of Srinagar Smart City Ltd, Athar Aamir Khan, described the occasion as unprecedented. “This is Srinagar Square, Lal Chowk right now! A city life is never seen before. The celebration, the vibrancy like never before!” Athar Aamir Khan shared on the microblogging site X.
This is #SrinagarSquare, #LalChowk right now! A city life never seen before. The celebration, the vibrancy like never before!
This is the probably the biggest alibi to the transformation that Srinagar city has witnessed with the implementation of #SrinagarSmartCity projects!… pic.twitter.com/f3mL69RjFF— Athar Aamir Khan (@AtharAamirKhan) December 31, 2023
“This is probably the biggest alibi to the transformation that Srinagar city has witnessed with the implementation of Srinagar Smart City (SMC) projects! Immensely proud of my Srinagar Smart City and SMC team for making this happen! Happy New Year!,” the municipal commissioner added.
PDP Spokesperson Mohit Bhan took to the microblogging site X, and said, “While Kashmir was watching this drama unfold on social media, the low-income tourists from Bihar, UP, Haryana of whom most were drunk as hell were dancing to some cheap Bhojpuri & Punjabi music performed by some unrecognised artists on the city street. The J&K administration called it a New Year Bash. Get A Life.”
While Kashmir was watching this drama unfold on social media, the low income tourists from Bihar , UP , Haryana of whom most were drunk as hell were dancing to some cheap Bhojpuri & Punjabi music performed by some unrecognised artists on city street.
The J&K administration… pic.twitter.com/EaVmmyBAZn
— Mohit Bhan موہت بھان (@buttkout) January 1, 2024
Though Pahalgam and Gulmarg have been preferred tourist destinations on New Year’s Eve, Sonamarg witnessed celebrations for the very first time.
Gulmarg and Pahalgam witnessed massive New Year celebrations this year.
In Gulmarg, the Tourism Department organised celebrations to create a warm and festive atmosphere among visitors, focusing on winter sports activities. There was a live music concert by National/Local Singers with a Laser Sound and Light Show, along with full-night entertainment at Gulmarg Golf Course. According to media reports, the world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir was sold out, with all hotels and guest houses booked by tourists for the New Year celebrations.
Pahalgam experienced similar celebrations with live music for visitors on New Year’s Eve.
Meanwhile, Sonamarg witnessed New Year celebrations for the first time, organized by the Tourism Department and Sonamarg Development Authority. A local band from Jammu performed at the event, along with various performances by the Department of Cultural Academy to attract the crowd.
An official stated that this event aims to catch people’s attention and boost winter tourism in Sonamarg. Hoteliers and many other stakeholders also cooperated in making this event a success.
A non-local tourist expressed, “I have visited Kashmir for the first time, and I am extremely excited to be here today on New Year’s Eve. Celebrating New Year with my family here is a life-changing experience. I have never seen these scenes before, and being a part of the celebrations makes me feel lucky.”
Warm greetings and good wishes to everyone on New Year. May the year 2024 bring prosperity, health and happiness to all.
आप सभी को नव वर्ष 2024 की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। नया साल सभी के जीवन में सुख, समृद्धि व खुशियां लाए, ईश्वर से यही कामना है।
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) January 1, 2024
LG Manoj Sinha was among the officials who greeted people on New Year. Writing on the microblogging site X, LG Sinha said, “Warm greetings and good wishes to everyone on New Year. May the year 2024 bring prosperity, health, and happiness to all.”
Congrats @SyedAbidShah and @AtharAamirKhan for a very rare and distinctive show in Lal Chowk.
And also Gulmarg, Pahalgam etc.
We as a race are sad by temperament. 😜.
Sad cloudy days, sad colours, sad songs and even sadder politics.
This was a welcome getaway. Music,…— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) January 1, 2024
Peoples Conference chief, Sajad Gani Lone also took to X and said, ” Congrats @SyedAbidShah and @AtharAamirKhan for a very rare and distinctive show in Lal Chowk. And also Gulmarg, Pahalgam etc. We as a race are sad by temperament. Sad cloudy days, sad colours, sad songs and even sadder politics. This was a welcome getaway. Music, festivities and a young crowd looking forward to a less sadder 2024. I have all the disagreements with the current administration. But these rare relics r praiseworthy. Keep up the good work. And @AtharAamirKhan thanks for making Srinagar an immensely walkable city.”
