KNZ NEWS DESK
Zanskar 22 July: Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali on Friday inaugurated One Day Zanskar Folk Festival at Dak Bungalow Padum here today. Organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) Kargil in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) Leh and All India Radio (AIR) Kargil, around 200 artists from Zanskar Sub Divison and different parts of Kargil and Leh districts presented their folk music and dance forms in the day long colorful cultural event. Senior Superintendent of Police Kargil Tsering Gyalpo, Councilor Padum Skalzang Wangyal, Nominated Councilor and Former EC Zanskar Affairs Punchoq Tashi, Deputy Director General (DDG), AIR, Kargil Jai Prakash, SDM Zanskar Rakesh Kumar, President Buddhist Association Zanskar Tsewang Chostar, President Muslim Association Zanskar Ghulam Mohiuddin, Former Member Minority Commission Lama Chombel Zotpa, Gyapo Zangla Nima Nurboo besides several officers of the District and Sub Divisional Administration were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman while appreciating the efforts of the organizers in organizing the festival expressed hope that this step will go long in reiterating the importance of the preservation and promotion of the various folk music and dance forms of Ladakh region with particular reference to Zanskar valley. Haji Anayat said that apart from folk music and dance forms, cultural ethos of
communal harmony, humility, brotherhood, mutual understanding and peaceful co- existence need to be practiced and endorsed which form the essence of the multiethnic culture of the region. The Chairman urged upon JKAACL and AIR to take further steps in organizing similar cultural exchange programmes in other parts of Leh and Kargil districts which he said will help in further strengthening the bonds of communal harmony in the region.
Councilor Padum Skalzang Wangyal, Nominated Councilor and Former EC
Zanskar Affairs Punchoq Tashi and President Buddhist Association Zanskar Tsewang Chostar also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of such cultural events which they said would play an instrumental role in giving fillip to cultural tourism in Zanskar valley which has a apart from a glorious folk culture is also rich in prominent places of religious tourism.
Earlier while welcoming the dignitaries, audiences and artists Deputy Secretary, Kargil, Nazir Hussain and Programme Executive, AIR, Kargil,
Lobzang Namgyal highlighted the aims and objectives of the folk festival. Among others who were present on the occasion included prominent citizens,
representatives of various religious, political, social and cultural organizations and a mammoth gathering of men and women folk.
Tenzin Lamo and Tsewang Rigzin conducted the proceedings while as Special Officer for Cultural Activities Kargil Muhammad Ali Tak delivered the vote of thanks at the end.
