@JournalistAadil
Srinagar: As part of the ongoing Jashn-e-Gurez festival being organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the district administration and J&K Tourism Department in Gurez from June 1 to June 20, “Jashn-e-Gurez Village Games and Dard Shin Festival” was conducted by the Indian Army at the Dawar helipad ground on Wednesday.
The colourful event witnessed participation of more than 2500 locals, officials of the Indian Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), district administration and tourists. The festival was inaugurated by a senior officer of the Indian Army, who flagged off the much awaited and coveted Pony Race which is organised every year in Gurez. The village games also included many exciting events such as Pithu Race, Intervillage Tug of war, Jalebi, lemon and sack races for children.
The festival also encompassed various games and food stalls established by the Indian army and 15 stalls from various departments such as forest, agriculture, social welfare, animal husbandry etc. A decathlon store and various handicraft stalls were also established for the tourists and locals to purchase souvenirs from Gurez. A medical check-up camp was also established by the army at the festival for the locals who were benefited with free check-ups and medicines.
The Dard Shin festival witnessed various cultural programs from schools and colleges and musical troupes from all across the valley and was aimed at promoting the rich culture of the Dard-shin tribe of Gurez. In the end prizes and certificates were awarded to all participants and winners and the festival was concluded.
A Mega musical event Sham-e-Gurez is also being conducted on June 15 at the Dawar helipad ground in which many celebrities and acclaimed artists from across Kashmir will perform. Kashmir’s first of its kind firework show is also planned during the mega event.
