news details |
|
|
| Amid state mourning on Vajpayee's demise, babus make merry in Gulmarg | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 19: Even as the Jammu and Kashmir government has formally announced a state mourning for a week to pay homage to the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his demise, some senior officials were seen making merry at the health resort of Gulmarg.
Sources said the officials from Tourism department, Gulmarg Development Authority and the Forest department attended the function hosted by Bollywood in connection with the shooting for an upcoming movie at the ski resort in north Kashmir.
The event was chaired by Bollywood actor John Abraham who is shooting at the resort Gulmarg for an espionage thriller RAW. The actor also planted a tree near St Marry's Church Gulmarg as a message to his fans that we should plant more and more trees so as to make up for the damage done by deforestation. He was accompanied by officials from various departments who also enjoyed a mega feast.
Official sources said it was breach of official protocol during the state mourning that the babus went ahead with the celebrations.
"The event could have been surely postponed as the shooting will continue for some days more. We don't know why official machinery didn't uphold the protocol but his a serious negligence," said a senior official.
Talking to reporters a senior official of the Tourism said the department is trying to attract more filmmakers to Kashmir "to offset the negative perception and to promote Kashmir as the choicest destination for filmmaking."
The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared a public holiday on Friday to pay homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajaypee. An order issued by the GAD states that all government offices, boards, corporations and educational institutions shall remain closed on Friday (17 August).
On August 17, the state government announced the weeklong mourning. According to the order, the state mourning shall be observed for seven days from August 16 to 22.
The national and state flags shall fly at half mast during the state mourning on the buildings and places where these are flown regularly. During this period there shall be no official entertainment.
Despite repeated attempts the officials who attended the entertaining event at Gulmarg couldn't be contacted for comments. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
