Saturday, February 19, 2011

HEAVY SNOWFALL AT GULMARG

Heavy snowfall at Gulmarg generate economy of Kashmir - GR, 19 February 2011.
Excerpt from the article:
GULMARG - Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today said that heavy snowfall at tourist places like Gulmarg in the present day age help now people to generate economy as domestic as well as foreign tourists are attracted by the natural slopes and snow decked mountains available only in Gulmarg...Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Gulmarg concluded 4th snow Skiing course today. The course was attended by 98 young boys and girls from all over the country majority of them from Kashmir. During the course participants were imparted training in three levels of Skiing like basic, intermediate and advance ski courses. The certificates and prizes were awarded to the trainees during the concluding function by Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir.

Addressing on the occasion, Ghulam Hassan Mir said Kashmir in old times had to remain confined to their home due to snowfall adding that time has changed and the people due to improved infrastructure and latest snow clearance machines are continuing their business at such tourist spots. Mir said that government is striving hard to promote tourism of the Kashmir valley at global level as lakhs of people are directly or indirectly connected with tourism industry, a backbone of the state economy. Advising the people to put in all their efforts to maintain peace in the valley so that summer tourism also picks up in the valley, Mir said peace is imperative for making Jammu and Kashmir a Khushaal state. He said tourism is one of the main component of Kashmir for uplifting the living standard of the people and has also tremendous potential of employability...Col. J.S. Dhillon, later, also presented a memento to the Minister for Agriculture. The Minister also witnessed the Skiing of the children on the slopes.

Earlier, welcoming the Minister and other guests, Principal IISM, Col. J. S. Dhillon said that institute aims to train the youth of the country especially from Kashmir to develop in them those skills of adventure which can help them to generate self employment in adventure tourism. He said the institute used to conduct only snow and water ski courses but has now diversified into multifacet adventure activities including Hot Air Ballooning, Paragliding and Para Motors. Government of India is taking very keen interest to revive this institute after decade of turmoil in the valley. Institute has new ski equipment and a new building in Gulmarg where the students get the best of administration and training. Col. Dhillon said the institute has also started sponsoring local children from poor families free of cost. The next ski course will have 30 students from remote areas of Kupwara which are being sponsored. Some students are being sponsored through NCC and institute charges nominal fee of Rs. 5000 for two week course which includes the cost of centrally heated accommodation, training, all meals and ski equipment.

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