“Awaam ki Awaaz”: LG Sinha lauds efforts of Bandipora Tribal Girl to promote Culture, Tourism

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 19: During this month’s Awaam ki Awaaz programme, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha lauded the efforts of Shabnam Bashir Gojer Chichi- a tribal girl from Bandipora for promoting the tribal culture and tourism in the UT.

Dedicating the 35th edition of Awaam ki Awaaz programme to Unsung Heroes and Nari Shakti of Jammu Kashmir, the Lt Governor lauded Bandipora’s Ms Shabnam Bashir Gojer Chechi, a tribal girl, for her significant contribution to the society and standout efforts for the revival of tribal culture.

 The 25-year-old tribal girl has written a debut book about the unexplored tourist destinations of Kashmir providing detailed information about these tourist destinations of the valley.

          Residing in a remote Quil-Muqam village of Bandipora district , Shabnam Bashir Gojer Chechi became the author of her first book "Unexplored Kashmir" after taking a tour of around eight far-flung meadows of north Kashmir, scripting them in detail for their tourist potential.

         Shabnam has taken a lead in organising cultural events, Festivals and other programmes to attract tourists to the tribal areas to explore the natural beauty and local culture. “These events aimed to promote the indigenous tribal culture and attract tourists to these places so that locals get a chance to earn their livelihood,” she told Kashmir Convener.

         She said she has been motivating the tribal communities to start home stays so that tourists have a close contact with tribal culture that not only fascinates them but also educates them about our culture besides exploring the lush green meadows where these tribals are settled, she added.

The enthusiastic traveller Shabnam Bashir Gojer Chechi is also a female solo traveller, who dared to explore the unexplored and defied all odds.

Shabnam's main area of research is unexplored meadows in the upper reaches of Harmukh ranges in North Kashmir that possess ordinary beauty, roaring rivulets, snowy mountain tops, lush landscapes, murmuring streams, and thick cloud curtains.

She has taken amazing journeys with a determination which has paved the way well ahead of her time. Since her childhood days, she has been putting her best endeavours to promote adventure tourism in Kashmir and bring unexplored tourist destinations to the tourism map of Kashmir.

Shabnam was fascinated by discovering the hidden and unexplored tourist destination of Kashmir since childhood. She said tourism should not be restricted to a few select and popular locations, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Dal Lake, but believes the real Kashmir is up in the unexplored mountains.

Shabnam played a significant role in bringing this tribal hamlet Ketson to the tourism map. It was because of her constant efforts, Ketson got recognition by the J-K government as a tourist village. Following its recognition as a tourist village, a first-of-its-kind Tribal Winter Festival was held at Ketson, which witnessed huge public participation. The festival witnessed music, dance, and cultural events that left the people enthralled.

Apart from working on adventure tourism, Shabnam works on culture tourism as well. She said that with the intention of offering cultural tourism, I aim to exhibit the culture and heritage of the tribal communities to the travellers.

"Cultural tourism facilitates and encourages those involved with heritage conservation and management to make the significance of that heritage accessible to the host community and visitors," she said

Earlier Lt Governor said after more than seven decades of India's independence, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji established Social Justice in J&K, which ensured everyone has access to equal opportunities and the resources to well-being and prosperity of marginalised sections of society,” the Lt Governor said.

He said the vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas has removed developmental imbalances and put J&K on the path of accelerated and inclusive development.

“No future-oriented society can progress without people-centered governance. Our vision is to ensure that growth must reach all sections of society and measures for equitable access to opportunities is further strengthened,” the Lt Governor observed.

The historic decision of the inclusion of Paharis, Padari Tribes, Koli and Gadda Brahmin in Scheduled Tribes list, while safeguarding the interest of Gujjar, Bakarwals and other listed tribes is a testimony to our commitment towards the empowerment of all, he said. (With Inputs from Times of Oman)