LG Manoj Sinha, Lt Gen DP Pandey Among Other High-Profile Dignitaries Grace Eve on Second Day
Handwara, Aug 11: People from different parts of the Kupwara district, including Tangdhar and Handwara, converged at Lokut Bangus Valley over last two days to celebrate the annual ‘Bangus Awaami Mela’ with great fanfare. The festival mainly saw the participation of hundreds of Gujjars, Bakarwals and other Kashmiri sightseers from the frontier district.
Detailing out the conduct of the two-day festival, an army spokesperson in a statement issued here said that the first day saw the conduct of Village Games which saw competitions including Horse Racing, Sheep Shepherding Challenge, Tugs of War and Wood Chopping Competitions between the Gujjar Bakarwal and Pahari Community from various Bhaiks, who inhabit the beautiful meadows during the summer months from ages.
On the request of the community members, a free Veterinary and Medical Camp was also organised by the local Rashtriya Rifles unit, under Chinar Corps, over the two day festival, he said adding, the Veterinary and Medical Camp was organised with an aim to provide basic health care facilities alongwith free medicines to the locals who are residing in the remote region of Bangus Valley and do not have an access to the basic medical facilities.
The camp, he said, proved to be a great success as it met the aspirations of locals and provided much needed medical relief to them.
The veterinary and medical camps were a combined effort of the Army and Civil Medical Authorities from Handwara region during which a total of 492 patients including 90 children were given treatment, advice and free medicines by the doctors. The veterinary camp provided medical aid to 700 livestock in addition to surgical assistance to the wounded, he said.
The Second day of the event was witnessed by Manoj Sinha, Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and Lieutenant General YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, UYSM, AVSM, VrC, SM. The occasion was also graced by Lieutenant General DP Pandey, AVSM, VSM GOC, Chinar Corps & Major General HS Sahi, YSM, SM, GOC and Counter Insurgency Force (K).
The Lieutenant Governor addressed the large gathering and witnessed the traditional programs organised by local Gujjar and Bakarwal community and the finals of village games and also went around the mela venue and appreciated the heritage cuisine stalls set up under the aegis of DDC Rajwar, Suleiman Mir.
Later, speaking on the occasion, the LG said that it is mesmerizing to see such large gathering at the beautiful valley of Bangus. He also said that government will now work rigorously for overall development of Bangus Valley and its infrastructure, the spokesperson said.
The day also saw the audience enjoying folk songs by the Gujjar community, patriotic songs by the local children, dances and a Karate Display by the Handwara Kudo Association in addition to the village games.
The event culminated by a rousing participation in the recitation of the National Anthem and a vote of thanks by the Community elders to the Army for its support, the spokesperson further said.
