Srinagar, 31 Dec 2017: The early snowfall this season has given a boost to tourism in J&K especially for locals and traders of Gulmarg. To encourage tourists to come to picturesque Gulmarg, Winter Carnival 2017 was conducted jointly by the Army and J&K Tourism Department. The main attractions of the event were Snow Scooter and All Terrain Vehicle Races, Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowman Making Competition, which garnered maximum participation and cheering from the crowd. Other attractions included live band performances by local and Army bands, Photography Competition, Stalls by J&K Tourism Department, HAWS, lISM etc. The Chief Guest, Maj Gen RP Kalita, GOC Dagger Division flagged off skiing and snow scooter racing competitions and adjudged the winners of photography competition. Other eminent dignitaries who attended the function included Maj Gen Gulab Singh Rawat and senior police and Civil Administration officials. Nearly 2000 people including locals and a large number of tourists flocked the venue and school children from various schools added colour to the Carnival. J&K Scouts and Guides from Kashmir region also joined the Carnival and enjoyed the event. Separate games were organised for the children like Maradona Kick, Bottle Fishing, Throw a Loop, Demolition of Glass Fort etc. The wholehearted participation of the locals in all the competitions is a testimony to the need for peace and harmony and is reflective of the constructive role that the Army is playing in spreading goodwill in the pristine valley.
The winners of skiing, snow scooter and photography competition were given attractive prizes by the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, the GOC Dagger Division thanked the people of Gulmarg and the tourists for making the Winter Carnival 2017 a success and congratulated the organisers for the immaculate conduct. He expressed that such events will benefit the Kashmiri Awaam in all their endeavours especially tourism.
Undoubtedly, cultural programmes and live band performances created a festive atmosphere in snow clad Gulmarg. Free snow scooter and ATV rides as well as free skiing lessons were organised which continued till late in the evening. The conduct of ‘Winter Carnival 2017: Gulmarg’ strengthened the bond of the Army with the Kashmiri Awaam and should be a harbinger of amity and peace.