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Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]May 31 (ANI): Although parts of Jammu and Kashmir are struggling economically, after the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi abolished Article 370 in 2019, the region’s Overall tourism is recovering.
Kashmir is at the center of tensions between India and Pakistan, and tourism is booming.
India aimed to highlight Kashmir’s stability at this year’s G20-hosted tourism conference from May 22-24.
The arts and entertainment industry is also thriving in Jammu and Kashmir after 370 was removed.
Ladishah, a storytelling musical genre in Jammu and Kashmir, is dying slowly but steadily. But some young people are reinventing age-old techniques of musical storytelling to preserve Kashmir’s ancient fading culture.
The Administrative Council (AC) chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha last week approved the absorption of 145 employees from Hotel Group of India Ltd (HCIL) at Centaur Lakeview in Srinagar due to booming tourism. Work in hotels, enter different companies under Ministry of Tourism.
The decision was taken following the committee’s recommendation that JK United Territories would absorb the existing staff of Indian Hotels Group Limited on the existing terms and conditions. (Arnie)
New Delhi has seized the opportunity to show through events with representatives from more than two dozen countries that life in the region is returning to normal after years of conflict.
On the famous Dal Lake, delegates were seen enjoying colorful boat trips in Shikaras. “Closed the day with a scenic shikara ride on Dal lake followed by a cultural performance and a delicious wazwan dinner! Thank you @g20org @JandKTourism @srinagaradmin @tourismgoi for the impeccable arrangement!” tweeted Singapore in India.
The massive G20 tourism meeting in Srinagar apparently attracted international media attention, many of which highlighted India’s efforts to demonstrate a return to stability and normalcy in Kashmir.
G20 delegates at the Sher Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC) found themselves captivated by Kashmir’s exquisite handicrafts, showcasing rich culture and exquisite art. The third tourism working group meeting saw a lively gathering of artisans and suppliers who presented their masterpieces to an international audience.
From luxurious cashmere shawls that wrap visitors in luxurious warmth, to hand-woven rugs that tell stories through intricate patterns, the tapestry of Kashmiri craftsmanship is on full display. Delicate hand-embroidered fabrics, finely carved walnut masterpieces, ancient Kangris (hot pots) and vibrant pulp art add further depth to the exhibition.
The Jammu and Kashmir State Government has set up a dedicated food stall ‘JKRLM Millet Center Jammu Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission’ (JKRLM) at the Sher-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC) in Srinagar during the G20 meeting.
Jammu and Kashmir was once a place where schools were closed for long periods, but now even girls can go to school without fear of extremist militants.
District Development Commissioner Doda Vishesh Mahajan and Senior Superintendent Abdul Qayoom opened the All India Women’s Cricket Championship at the Doda Stadium on Tuesday.
The competition is organized by the Department of Physical Education and Exercise, Doda Government Degree College in partnership with the Doda Sports and Fitness Center.
About 8 teams from Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, GDC Doda and GMC Doda participated in the competition.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face appeared on a billboard displaying India’s role in the G-20 under the tagline “Srinagar: The Beautiful City”.
Local business owners also agree they are seeing economic recovery.
Tangmarg and Gulmarg, two picturesque health resorts in the Baramullah district of northern Kashmir, have undergone a remarkable transformation through the implementation of the Kashmir Urban Local Body (ULB) beautification programme.
Rs 164 crore was spent on beautification projects aimed at repairing, rebuilding, restoring municipal assets and enhancing the overall attractiveness of these towns.
On May 30, the plan was approved by ULB Kashmir and works were completed by Tangmarg, Gulmarg Municipal Council.
Jawed Bakhar, 43, said tourists were flocking to his souvenir shop, which sells the region’s famous cashmere shawls.
“Tourism is good,” he said.
During the G20 event, Singapore’s High Commissioner to India Simon Wong praised the beauty of Kashmir and said he was “very happy” to be in Srinagar.
Simon Wong on his official Twitter: “Great to be in Srinagar. Pure beauty. Thank you so much for the warm welcome. HC Wong.”
New Delhi said its 2019 move to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s partial autonomy would help stabilize the region’s economy, protect it from militant separatist groups and allow the region to attract more investment and immigration. The move vindicated itself when the G20 meeting ended peacefully without any potential terrorist activity.
Jitendra Singh, a government minister and member of parliament from the region, told the G20 event that Kashmiris are ready to seize economic opportunities after years of terrorism.
“The common man has moved on, he can see the great opportunity that Modi has unfolded across the country, and he doesn’t want to miss the train,” he told a news conference.
Several countries protested India’s decision to host the event in Kashmir. Pakistan, which is not even a G20 member, condemned the move, while expansionist China, which has a territorial dispute with India, boycotted the meeting.
Indian officials at the event described an economic revival as more than 18 million tourists flocked to Jammu and Kashmir last year, up from 7.7 million in 2008. Indian officials say the overall economy, which is dominated by agriculture, grew by an estimated 8% in the last fiscal year.
But some industries, such as manufacturing, are struggling in a region that suffers from frequent power outages and lacks connectivity to the rest of India. This is also because of geographical and climatic conditions.
Rail connectivity is an area where JK has lagged behind for years, but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party central government, great strides have been made in connecting the region to the rest of the country.
In July 2014, following the opening of the 25km Udanpur-Katla railway line in July 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people that during his tenure, Kashmir would be Connected and integrated.
While the unemployment rate has fallen from a peak of more than 30 percent last year to 23.1 percent in March this year, the drop is the third-highest in India after Haryana and Rajasthan, according to the Center for Economic Monitoring of India, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The G20 summit in Srinagar was a step towards establishing Jammu and Kashmir as an international filmmaking destination.
The three-day G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar on 22 May 2023 kicked off with a side event on ‘Film Tourism for Economic and Cultural Preservation’.
Participants discussed the importance of film tourism and its economic and cultural impact. They agreed that JK was the best place to shoot the movie.
With the G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in Srinagar, the North Kashmir state of Dipola is taking the opportunity to market its famous products to foreign delegates attending the summit.
These include black cumin (kala jeera) from the Gurez valley, organic rajma (kidney beans) from the Tulail valley and exquisite pulp art from the Sumbal subdistrict. These products highlight the diversity and abundance of the region’s offerings.
Jammu and Kashmir has not held parliamentary elections since 2014. But elections are expected later this year after New Delhi implemented new rules allowing more residents to vote, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The revival of tourism has been a huge help to locals, who had to close their doors at the height of the armed conflict.
Sameer Ahmed, a 34-year-old manager of a cashmere store in Kashmir, said early political turmoil had forced the store to close for an average of six months a year over the past seven years. The Covid lockdown has also hurt.
Ahmed said sales had rebounded to pre-coronavirus levels after the lifting of pandemic restrictions in India sparked a surge in tourist arrivals.
“It’s like they broke out of jail,” he said of the visitors.
Nadeem Mulla, a 29-year-old travel agent from Gujarat, was on vacation in Kashmir with 37 members of his extended family. He said they admired the lush pine trees and crystal-clear lake, and the entire trip cost him thousands of dollars, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“I spend like crazy,” he said.
Many hoteliers and souvenir shop owners said they were cautiously optimistic, but they were still bracing for possible unrest ahead.
Anees Noor’s family boat, furnished with thick Kashmiri rugs and carved wood furniture, was booked almost every day last summer. Demand was so high that he tripled the price to 10,000 rupees a night, or $120, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“There wasn’t a single empty room,” he said.
However, the 23-year-old said his family was stockpiling rice and cooking oil in case tensions flared up again.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Jambu Zoo in Nagrota on Monday and said the addition to the JK tourist destination will attract local residents as well as tourists to the Union Territory.
“The new addition to the 70-hectare JK UT tourist destination attracts both local residents and tourists to the Union Territory,” said LG Sinha. Federico Giuliani writes in Italian news site Inside Over The recent G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir provided a good opportunity for foreign dignitaries and observers to witness changes in the Union Territory since the abolition of Article 370, he said.
The three-day G20 meeting in Srinagar concluded last week with dignitaries visiting the city. (Arnie)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the body of content may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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