As the sacred Kheer Bhawani Mela approaches, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday visited the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal to oversee final preparations for the annual pilgrimage, scheduled to take place on June 3.

During his visit, Dulloo offered prayers at the shrine of Goddess Ragnya Devi, inspected arrangements on the ground, and held reviews with officials to ensure seamless facilities for thousands of devotees. Key areas inspected included sanitation, drinking water, electricity, accommodation, transport, and medical services.

“Close Coordination Is Crucial” – Chief Secretary

Emphasizing inter-departmental cooperation, Dulloo urged all civil and police departments to work in close coordination for the successful conduct of the festival. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, Additional Deputy Commissioner, and several senior officers.

Later in the day, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat also visited the temple complex to review security arrangements. DGP Prabhat, who also paid obeisance at the shrine, assured that all logistical and security measures are in place for the safe movement and stay of pilgrims.

Celebrations Across Five Temples

The Kheer Bhawani Mela will be observed at five prominent shrines of Goddess Ragnya Bhagwati:

• Tulmulla (Ganderbal)
• Manzgam (Kulgam)
• Devsar (Kulgam)
• Logripora (Anantnag)
• Tikkar (Kupwara)

Each location is expected to host vibrant spiritual gatherings and festive celebrations.

Thousands Begin Spiritual Journey from Jammu

Amid tight security, a convoy of 60 JKRTC buses carrying approximately 2,500 Kashmiri Pandit devotees left Nagrota, Jammu on Sunday morning for the Valley. The yatra was flagged off by IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, in the presence of Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya and Relief Commissioner Dr Arvind Karwani, alongside senior officials.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has made arrangements for pilgrims traveling from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu, with accommodation and food provided en-route, including at Nagrota and Chandarkot.

At Vessu transit camp in Anantnag, returning pilgrims were welcomed with warmth and festivities. “We are here to welcome our brothers and sisters. The administration has done a great job,” said a camp resident.

A pilgrim shared his joy: “We were served food in Nagrota. The army helped us immensely. The arrangements have been excellent.”

Voices of Faith and Hope

At the Tulmulla temple, pilgrims spoke of hope, unity, and nostalgia. “We want to live in Kashmir again, as we once did,” said Chanda Dhar, her voice filled with emotion. “When we return here, it feels like we never left. This is our home.”

Junaid Ahmed Khadana, a local from Kangan, emphasized the spirit of communal harmony the festival embodies: “This mela is for everyone – Hindus and Muslims. It reflects our shared culture and brotherhood. We’ve set up a pandal and are here to serve.”

A solemn Full Court Reference was held today in the courtroom of the Chief Justice at the Jammu Wing of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to pay tribute to the departed souls of the legal fraternity, including Senior Advocates Ashok Vijay Gupta and Prem Saroop Dutta, and Advocates Ramesh Chander Arora and Vinod Kumar Bakshi.

The proceedings were led by Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court, who in his condolence address reflected on the lasting contributions and professional excellence of the deceased advocates.

“Their unwavering dedication to the principles of justice, hard work, and commitment to the legal profession has left an indelible mark on the judiciary. Their passing is an irreparable loss to the legal community,” the Chief Justice stated.

Justice Palli, on behalf of himself and all judges of the High Court, offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.

Senior members of the legal community, including Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli and President of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Nirmal Kotwal, also addressed the gathering. They paid glowing tributes to the departed advocates, acknowledging their exceptional service, legal acumen, and moral integrity.

“They were not only pillars of legal wisdom but also mentors and guiding lights for the younger generation of lawyers,” said Kotwal.

Monika Kohli, speaking on behalf of the State, government advocates, and the Bar, also expressed condolences and lauded the contributions of the deceased, stating that their commitment to justice and the rule of law would continue to inspire.

The Full Court Reference saw physical attendance from judges and Bar members at the Jammu Wing, while judges and lawyers from the Srinagar Bench joined the proceedings virtually, underscoring the collective grief and respect from across the Union Territory.

As a mark of respect, one minute of silence was observed at the conclusion of the ceremony. Court work was suspended for the rest of the day.

The proceedings were conducted by Mohinder Kumar Sharma, Registrar General of the High Court.

Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Chairman of Team Jammu, a prominent social organization, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking exclusive recruitment drives for youth residing in the border and remote villages of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jamwal emphasized the pressing need for targeted opportunities for youth living along the Line of Control (LoC) to join the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and the J&K Police. He said that empowering border youth through such initiatives would not only address rising unemployment but also bolster India’s defensive capabilities in strategically sensitive regions.

“Border youth are deeply patriotic and committed to the nation. Giving them a chance to serve in uniform is both a recognition of their resilience and an investment in our national security,” Jamwal said.

In his memorandum, Jamwal also highlighted the recurrent threats faced by civilians living in vulnerable areas and reiterated Team Jammu’s longstanding demand for the construction of permanent concrete bunkers to safeguard lives during cross-border firing and escalation.

“These shelters are essential not only for physical protection but also to ensure that families can continue living in their ancestral homes with safety and dignity,” he added.

Ashmita Paul Meets LG During Solo Journey for ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’

In a separate meeting, Ashmita Paul, a self-defence instructor from Guwahati, Assam, also called on the Lieutenant Governor during her solo two-wheeler expedition from Guwahati to Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Her journey aims to raise awareness for the government’s flagship initiative, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, which promotes girl child education and empowerment.

LG Sinha congratulated Paul on her inspiring mission and lauded her commitment to women’s safety, self-reliance, and education.

“Ashmita’s journey is a powerful symbol of courage, determination, and social responsibility. Her efforts inspire countless young girls across the country,” the LG said while extending his best wishes for her continued journey.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Wednesday strongly denounced attempts by certain elements to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir’s thriving tourism sector, stating that the government stands firm with the people and will not allow local jobs or peace to be compromised.

Speaking at a public outreach event in the picturesque hill station of Gulmarg, Choudhary emphasized the resilience of the region in the face of recent challenges, including terror incidents. “There are people who want to destroy our tourism and our people’s employment,” he said. “But they will not succeed. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir stands with its people and with India.”

He lauded the people of Kashmir for their legendary hospitality and peaceful spirit, pointing out that despite security concerns, tourism remains vibrant and essential to the region’s economy. “Kashmir continues to attract tourists. As you saw today, many visitors came to Gulmarg. That makes a difference,” he noted.

‘Peace Still Defines Kashmir’

Choudhary said that the purpose of the event was to send a clear message to the country and the world: Kashmir remains peaceful and open for tourism. “If anyone wants to disturb the situation in J&K, they won’t succeed. Our brotherhood and hospitality—especially that of Kashmir—are world-renowned,” he added.

He urged national and international journalists to visit the region to witness its true spirit, remarking, “The image of J&K portrayed in the media is not accurate. This place is peaceful, and the people are full of love. Kashmir has been the backdrop of many cinematic love stories.”

Upcoming Tourism Season Crucial

Looking ahead, the Deputy CM stressed the importance of the upcoming summer tourism season, calling for positive promotion across all media platforms. “The next two to three months are crucial. Social media has great power. Let us spread positivity, not negativity,” he urged.

Governance and Democracy in Focus

Choudhary also took the opportunity to highlight the complexities of governance in Jammu and Kashmir. “There are three types of governments in J&K today—one elected, one installed, and one at the Centre. We should allow the elected government to make decisions for those who voted. That’s how democracy is strengthened.”

The Deputy CM reiterated that the government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to defending the interests of J&K’s citizens and promoting economic growth through peace, progress, and partnerships.