Pilgrims are Brand Ambassadors of JK, promoting UT globally: LG Sinha

Sheikh Saleem

Pahalgam, July 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday hailed the role of Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in promoting Jammu and Kashmir globally and termed them as ‘ambassadors of JK’ who are promoting JK globally.

While interacting with the pilgrims at Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps, Sinha said the pilgrimage to the revered Amarnath cave is not only a spiritual journey but also a powerful means of showcasing the region's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

“Pilgrims from across the country and abroad are now the Brand Ambassadors of J&K. The economic activities associated with spiritual pilgrimage generate livelihood for the locals and spur tourist influx to the UT,” he said.

During his visit, LG Sinha recognized the pilgrims as proud "Brand Ambassadors" of J&K, highlighting their significant impact in bolstering the image of the Union Territory worldwide.

At the Nunwan Base Camp, the Lt Governor interacted with the pilgrims and reviewed arrangements for queue management.

Earlier in a review meeting held with the senior officers at the base camp, the Lt Governor discussed measures taken for comfortable stay, food, healthcare, connectivity, sanitation, water and other facilities for Yatris in case of bad weather.

The Lt Governor was briefed that the Camp Directors are holding regular meetings with service providers, stakeholders and additional lanes have been added at check-points.

He observed that administration is sensitive to the needs of pilgrims, responsive and has ensured better arrangements for hassle-free pilgrimage.

“I am extremely proud of entire team, Shrine Board, J&K Police, CAPFs, Army, BRO, NDRF, SDRF, Mountain Rescue Teams, service providers, citizens for commendable work and ensuring smooth conduct of Yatra. Through our solidarity, resolve and preparation, we'll overcome any future challenges,” the Lt Governor said.

The meeting also discussed the deployment of security and police personnel, Doctors, medical staff, rescue teams, and the steps taken to facilitate the smooth movement of yatris.

During his visit to Chandanwari Base Camp, the Lt Governor interacted with pilgrims, sanitation workers, service providers and took stock of the arrangements.

The Lt Governor was accompanied by Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board; Sh Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; Sh Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr. Piyush Singla, Administrative Secretary, Revenue Department; Sh Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and other senior officers of District Administration, SASB, Police and Army.

 

From ODF Plus villages to innovative initiatives: JK leads in sanitation practices

JK declared top contributor to ‘Swachhata Chronicles-Transformative Tales from India’ compendium

 

New Delhi, July 22: The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as top contributor for ‘Swachhata Chronicles – Transformative Tales from India’, a compendium of 75 Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus Best Practices’ to meet the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission–Gramin (SBM-G) Phase-II.

The Manual for Disaster Management Plan and ‘Swachhata Chronicles – Transformative Tales from India: A compendium of 75 ODF Plus Best Practices’ was released today by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat after inaugurating National Conference on Rural WASH Partners’ Forum here today.

Addressing the conference, the Union Minister said that under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, we have achieved more than 12.6 Crore tap connections and over 64% ODF Plus Villages. He highlighted that the “75 Transformative Tales of India” bring to the forefront stories that, highlight the transformative sanitation journey of India over the years.

This a major achievement for the UT of J&K where its innovations, special campaigns and efforts in varied arenas of SBM G were recognized. Out of the total 75 best practices included in the compendium, six best practices adopted by the UT of JK were showcased in the compendium.

The six tales include: ‘SWACHTA KARWAAN’, Construction of Pink Toilets, GOBARDHAN-Biogas plant at Suchetgarh, Soakage Pits for Greywater Management, Give Polythene Get Gold campaign and Sustainable and Zero landfill.

Each of these tales is indicative of how Jammu and Kashmir is working on multiple aspects of SBM-G simultaneously and in each of these areas efforts are being made to overcome barriers and bring about change by setting examples that that can be replicated across the UT.

While Swachhata Karwaan was an attempt to grab the attention of the masses through IEC to foster behavioural change, the ‘Give Polythene Get Gold’ campaign was an innovative effort where an elected representative of a panchayat offered an award for those contributing to curbing the menace of Plastic.

Menstrual Hygiene has always been an area of concern that is rarely talked about in the open, the story on construction of Pink toilets depicted J&K’s leap forward where the health and sanitation of women was given special care and importance. In the area of management of Biodegradable waste, GOBARdhan has been introduced in the UT by which villages in Jammu and Kashmir have now started converting cattle and organic waste into wealth .The UT’s effort of constructing thousands of Soak pits to manage Grey Water was also recognized in the compendium.

The unique effort of the Government to ensure that the religious pilgrimage of Shri Amarnathji Yatra, was a Zero landfill yatra, where all waste produced was collected and scientifically processed, was recognized as one of the transformative tales. Such recognitions reflect the commitment to excellence, and it indicates that the efforts and contributions have made a significant impact and have been recognized by a broader audience at national platform.

The UT of J&K has already achieved the goal of declaring all its villages as ODF plus. Six innovative tales chosen from the UT of J&K showcase the innovative approach, endeavour of the people and the efforts of the government to achieve the challenging task of making all village ODF Plus Model. This achievement has set a benchmark for others to aspire to and has contributed positively to the growth and development of nation.

Through this compendium, GoI has tried to highlight best practices adopted across the country in its mission to achieve health, cleanliness and sanitation and transform this campaign into a Jan Andolan. The activities and innovations highlighted in compendium aim to provide inspiration to villagers to replicate the same across the country. Union Minister, emphasized the importance of these tales in showcasing the positive changes taking place across India.

The conference was attended by senior officers from States/UTs, Mission Directors, in-charge Secretaries of JJM and SBM-G, corporates working in WASH sector among others. From J&K, Director of Rural Sanitation, Charandeep Singh, attended the conference.