Ganderbal, June 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he expects devotees visiting the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine to pray for the well-being, peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir, as preparations gather pace for the annual mela scheduled to be held on June 22.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the shrine at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district, the Chief Minister said the annual pilgrimage and mela hold immense religious and cultural significance and continue to symbolize Kashmir’s pluralistic traditions and communal harmony.
Abdullah said the administration has been making necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the mela and expressed hope that devotees from across the country would participate in large numbers.
Responding to queries regarding water scarcity in parts of Ganderbal district, the Chief Minister acknowledged the issue and said the government was aware of the concerns being faced by residents. He assured that efforts were underway to address the problem and improve water supply infrastructure in affected areas.
On the issue of transit accommodation for Kashmiri Pandits, Abdullah said the concept was not new and had been initiated during the tenure of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing public grievances and ensuring that developmental as well as welfare initiatives reach people across the Union Territory.
The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela, one of the most important religious gatherings of the Kashmiri Pandit community, is scheduled to be observed on June 22 amid elaborate security and administrative arrangements.
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