Festivals promote national harmony, Governor

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra said cultural festivals promote national integration and communal harmony in the country.
Speaking after inaugurating 5-day-long ”Fold Dance and Music Festival -2011” here last evening on the bank of Nigeen Lake , Mr Vohra said it also build bridges of understanding among the people.
The festival, in which more than 230 artists from various parts of the country are participating, has been organised by the Song and Drama Division, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Governor said that some months ago during a conversation with a senior officer of the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, he had mentioned about the profitability of reviving the activities of the Song and Drama Division in the State.
He added that the Song and Drama Division has been promoting cultural linkages and harmony among the people of our vast country by organizing cultural performances over the past decades.
The Governor congratulated the Song and Drama Division for organizing this festival and urged Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture and Khawaja Farooq Renzushah, Director Information, to enable the Kashmir unit to organise similar cultural festivals in the rural areas of the State for the larger benefit of the people.
Lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Governor marked the commencement of this festival.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jora said with the return of peace and normalcy cultural activities have started picking up in the Kashmir Valley.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr Arvind Kumar, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, gave details of the history, evolution and activities of the Song and Drama Division which was set up in 1954.
Mr L R Vishwanath, Director, Song and Drama Division, said that this festival was envisioned by the Governor and thanked him for taking keen interest in the promotion of cultural activities in the State.
He also gave details of this Folk Dance and Drama Festival and the initiatives being taken by his organisation for the promotion and showcasing of rich composite cultural heritage of the country.
A captivating cultural programme highlighting the glorious cultural heritage of the country was presented on the occasion by the artists.