Lolab Mela – 2022 celebrated with fervour in the verdant Chandigam Lolab

@JournalistAadil

Srinagar: The spectacular beauty and magnificence of the tiny Lolab valley in the Himalayan ranges located in North Kashmir, certainly is flaunted as “A Paradise in Paradise’. The unique beauty of the Lolab’s entry gate, which lies 9 km north of the Kupwara is a pathway to this oval-shaped valley floor with stunning beauty and sprawling mountain ranges.

The picturesque valley, surrounded by various deciduous trees that promise a colourful show in their fall season makes it one of the emerging tourist destinations in Kashmir. Lolab Mela was organized on September 5, and has served as an apt platform to project Lolab valley as a tourist hub to the rest of the country with an objective to attract tourists from all across the country and the world. Lolab Mela was also utilised to align the youth to various employment opportunities being provided by the government to the rural area.

Lolab Mela 2022 was a showcase of cultural and sports activities, which were spread over a period of one month. Various tournaments were organised as a precursor to the much awaited ‘Lolab Mela’.

All the tournaments received an unprecedented response from the local populace especially from the youth. Various events organised were Lolab Cricket League (T-20) from August 1 to August 10, Lolab Football Tournament from August 10 to August 20, Inter School Girls Volleyball Tournament from August 20 to August 31, Mega Medical Camp from August 27 to August 28, Trekking Expedition from September 2 to September 3, Tiranga Bike Rally from August 29 to September 3 and Lolab Mela on September 5.

The mega event, Lolab Mela was witnessed by Dr Sagar Doiphode, IAS, DC, Kupwara, Yougal Kumar Manas, SSP, Kupwara, Aijaz Ahmed, SDM, Sogam, Aijaz Ahmed, DSP, Lolab and various other civilian and army dignitaries of the area. Flagging in of trekkers was done by felicitation of the winning team which drew a huge applause.

The event commenced with cultural performance from renowned artists, to include, various plays and musical events, such as Lolab Mela and Rouff dance of the Kashmir region, in which stories commemorating the lives of saints (Islamic sages or Rishis) or more contemporary real or fictional figures were enacted.

The other events conducted were Sufi and patriotic songs sung by renowned artist, Younis Lolabi. People also witnessed the Brass band show and cultural performance by District Police Lines, Kupwara. Locals enthusiastically engaged in absorbing knowledge from numerous stalls and kiosks which were on display on topics like – Horticulture, Agriculture, Tourism, Handlooms and many others. Children feasted on the local cuisine on offer while indulging in the amusement rides and games.

The event left a lasting impression on the large audience who witnessed this one-of-a-kind event. The traders, shopkeepers and the youths applauded the effort by the Indian Army and district administration to project Lolab as a next tourist hub. They also applauded the opportunity given to youth to hone their hidden talents in different games and cultural programmes.