Regional

Srinagar, Dec 9 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) set up and sponsored the Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion at the 18th Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX), held in Amritsar from December 5-9.

An official statement said on Monday that the pavilion, with its impressive showcase of traditional artistry, authentic products, and emerging entrepreneurial talent, became a focal point of the expo, garnering widespread appreciation from visitors, business delegations, and media alike.

With 30 dedicated stalls, including representation from 12 women entrepreneurs, JKTPO sponsored exhibitors from across Jammu and Kashmir who displayed their unique local artistry, making the pavilion a significant attraction for over four lakh visitors from India and abroad.

The Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion showcased a unique collection of products, such as Basohli Pashmina Shawls, Kani and Sozni embroidered clothes and stoles, the world-famous Kashmiri saffron, dry fruits and dried vegetables, hand-embroidered Phiran and Kashmiri garments, honey and Rajmash from the Jammu region.

The pavilion turned into a vibrant hub where visitors not only purchased these exceptional products but also engaged directly with artisans, gaining insight into the stories and dedication behind each creation.

The event generated significant sales of over Rs 1 Cr and business leads with potential for future orders, promising substantial economic growth for artisans and entrepreneurs.

PITEX 2024 hosted exhibitors from both within India and abroad, with participants from 15 Indian states and various international representatives showcasing their products.

The success of the Jammu & Kashmir Pavilion at PITEX 2024 reflects the dedication of JKTPO to facilitating market access for local artisans and entrepreneurs. By fostering B2B and B2C engagements, the initiative continues to bridge cultures, support livelihoods, and drive economic growth in the Union Territory.

Building on the successes of such activities, JKTPO has recently organized key events such as the JK Textile Sourcing Fair 2024 in Srinagar on 28-29 Nov,24, the Basmati Fair in Jammu, and participation in IITF 2024 in Delhi, showcasing Jammu and Kashmir's economic potential.

Moving forward, JKTPO plans to participate in major events like the India International Mega Trade Fair in Kolkata, Indus Food, MITEX, Surajkund Mela, and Bharat Tex 2025, along with organising the 2nd Agro & Food Fest on January 22, 2025, and the JK Trade Show 2025, Winter edition, January 31, 2025.

--IANS

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Jammu, Dec 9 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting local industries in overcoming the challenges they are currently facing.

Speaking at an event organised by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) at its office, the Chief Minister was felicitated for assuming office as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There is no shortage of issues. If I were to claim that these problems have only emerged in the past decade, it would be misleading. These challenges are not new, nor are they solely the result of Jammu and Kashmir’s transition into a Union Territory. However, the UT transition has undoubtedly compounded these issues,” he stated.

Highlighting the geographical constraints of the region, the Chief Minister said: “Several challenges stem from our location. Jammu and Kashmir is situated in a corner of the country. Our market is very small, and our raw material base is limited. An industry that relies on importing raw materials and exporting finished products cannot sustain itself without governmental support.”

Reiterating his government’s responsibility, he added, “When we hold your hand and provide support, it is not a reflection of your helplessness or weakness. It is our responsibility, and we will fulfil it.”

On the tourism potential of Jammu, the Chief Minister emphasiaed the untapped opportunities presented by the large number of pilgrims visiting the region.

“Over a crore pilgrims visit Jammu for Mata Vaishno Devi every year. If we can successfully divert even 15 per cent of them to local tourist destinations, we would gain 15 lakh tourists immediately. We have managed the entire tourism economy of Kashmir with just 15 lakh tourists,” he remarked.

He stressed the need to showcase Jammu’s unique cultural heritage.

“Our Dogra culture is a treasure unique to Jammu. Our traditions, food, and specialities are unmatched and must be leveraged as key selling points for tourism,” he said.

On the resumption of the now-defunct Darbar Move, Omar Abdullah highlighted its positive impact on Jammu’s vibrancy.

“The hallmark of Jammu city was the biannual Darbar Move. For six months, people from Srinagar would work here, creating a lively environment. It fostered interaction between people from both sides of the mountains, whether at Wave Mall, Residency Road, or Gole Market. I assure you that we will resume the Darbar Move in the future. Unfortunately, time constraints prevented us from doing so this time,” he said.

Discussing the impact of industrial packages, he cautioned against their transient nature. “Industries attracted solely by packages stay only as long as the incentives last. Once the benefits end, they pack up and leave. The industries that endure are those rooted in this land, run by people who are inherently connected to it,” he stated.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the challenges related to lease agreements for institutions and businesses.

“Today, schools on leased land are being asked to produce 10-year leases, failing which their registration will not be renewed. Similarly, hotels on leased land cannot even make minor repairs due to the absence of valid leases. These issues need immediate attention,” he added.

Omar Abdullah, in his conclusion, assured his government’s commitment to addressing industrial concerns.

“Whatever issues you want us to raise with the Finance Minister, please provide me with a detailed note. We will take them up with the Union government and work toward tangible solutions,” he said.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Dec 9 (IANS) Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said on Monday that the state government is focussing on technology and branding to promote tourism.

She said that tourism is not just a means of business, it is a medium to share our culture and our experiences. While interacting with all the people present during the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, she said that the aim of the Rajasthan government is to promote repeat tourism in the state.

She said that all should try to ensure that the tourists visiting Rajasthan come to the state again for tourism. “For this, we will have to promote new tourist destinations and expand tourist facilities,” she claimed.

She also claimed that the focus of the government will be on marketing and promotion to promote tourism in the state, in which new technology will play a significant role.

She claimed that events like Rising Rajasthan are not just events but a continuous process of moving towards development.

She further claimed that the Rajasthan government is committed to taking tourism to new heights in the state.

“The topic of today's sectoral session is also inspired by the Prime Minister's idea in which he said that tourism should be a medium to connect the country's economy and society. Our government also aims to provide better employment and business opportunities to every section of the society,” she said.

The Rising Rajasthan Investment Global Summit was inaugurated with great pomp on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated this summit. Prime Minister in his address described tourism as synonymous with Rajasthan and also mentioned the tourism specialty of Rajasthan in his address.

As special speakers in the tourism session, poet and actor Shailesh Lodha, actor Nakul Mehta, tourism expert Anjali Bhartrihari Ravi and Neha Arora said in unison that the kind of diversity seen in Rajasthan is not found in any other state of the country or abroad.

In the special session based on tourism in Rising Rajasthan, Tourism Secretary Shri Ravi Jain gave a special presentation in which complete information about Rajasthan tourism along with the immense possibilities of investment was given in detail.

--IANS

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New Delhi/Imphal, Dec 9 (IANS) The INDIA Bloc parties from Manipur on Monday held a sit-in protest in Delhi demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the violence-hit-state and resolve the 19-month-long ethnic hostilities at the earliest.

The leaders of the 10-party INDIA bloc while addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar in the national capital claimed that both the Centre and the state government failed to resolve the ethnic crisis even as the lives of the people were devastated due to the uninterrupted violence.

The INDIA bloc leader also demanded to sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his “complete failure” to deal with the riots between Meitei and the Koki-Zo-Hmar community.

Many opposition leaders, including Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and CPI General Secretary D Raja among others participated in the protest.

Ramesh said that Manipur has been inflicted with unprecedented turmoil, continuous curfew, internet ban, high price rise of all commodities, unavailability of medicines, continuous violence, highways blockade, rising extortion, all forms of violent threats and disturbances, complete lawlessness and chaos, complete violation of right to life and right to properties, loss of life, and complete disarray of hope for the youth and total obstruction to the smooth functioning of schools, colleges, universities, and professional institutions in Manipur.

The INDIA Bloc, Manipur, resolves to press for the four demands to the President of India and the Prime Minister, he said in a post on the X.

The demands include the Prime Minister visiting Manipur urgently for an immediate restoration of peace and normalcy in the state without affecting the territorial integrity of Manipur.

“Chief Minister of Manipur should be immediately sacked for allowing Manipur to keep burning for the last 19 months. Further, until peace and normalcy are restored, the INDIA Bloc, Manipur will continue the democratic struggle to bring peace and normalcy to the state. We solemnly declare that we will work together hand in hand irrespective of caste, creed, community, and ethnicity to strengthen the bond of love, unity, and integrity in Manipur,” the Congress leader said.

Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh, state CLP leader Okram Ibobi, K. Ranjit, Lokeshwar Singh, Surjakumar Singh, all Congress MLAs of the state, Manipur CPI (M) leader Kshetrimayum Shanta among others attended the protest.

CPI leader D. Raja questioned the Central government’s commitment to national unity, highlighting the silence of PM Modi on the Manipur crisis.

The 10-party INDIA bloc in Manipur on December 6 also urged the Prime Minister to visit Manipur, at the earliest convenience or hold talks with political parties from the state in New Delhi.

The bloc, led by the Congress, submitted a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on December 6, requesting Modi to visit Manipur to resolve the 19-month-long ethnic conflict.

Meanwhile, around 20 civil society organisations and student bodies from Imphal Valley have announced plans to hold a rally in Delhi on December 22.

--IANS

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