 EARLY TIMES REPORT
KATRA, Oct.13: The 8-day long Navratra Festival in the holy town of Katra came to a musical end last evening with Nikhil Majotra of Jammu bagging the prestigious first prize in the Mega final event of All India Devotional Song Competition.
Chaman Lehri of Reasi and Yasir Hussain of Jammu clinched second and third prizes respectively in the competition.
The function concluded amidst chanting of Bhajans, beating of drums, bursting of crackers at Yog Ashram complex, last night.
Tourism Minister G A Mir, was the chief guest on the occasion while Additional Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari , Deputy Commissioner, Reasi Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Tourism Soujanya Sharma , prominent citizens, a large number of local people and pilgrims were also present on the occasion.
Noted Bollywood personalities including Actor Aftab Shivdasani, Managing Director of Venus Records & Tapes Ltd, Ganesh Jain, Trade Analyst and producer, Vikas Mohan, Ramesh Taurani Managing Director Tips Industries, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Jagran Barkha Arora were the judges of the mega final.
Speaking on the occasion, G A Mir complemented the Managing Committee of Navratra Festival and other organizations for extending their cooperation in making the event a grand success. He said that the annual festival is gaining prominence at national and even international level besides providing a platform to the budding artists to show their talent.
Actor Aaftab Shivdasani while speaking on the occasion appreciated the efforts of the organizers of the competition although he showed concern that out of 14 participants reached in the final,only one female candidate could qualify, and asked the organizers that efforts be made to increase their number in the next year competition.
Earlier, the Tourism Minister accompanied by other dignitories, lit the sacred jyoti near Asia chowk , Katra which was taken out in the form of a colorful procession with jhankies depicting the rich culture heritage of the state. The procession after passing through the bazaars of the holy Katra town finally reached the venue of Devotional Song Competition. The chief guest also gave away prizes worth Rs. One lakh in the shape of gold to the first winner, cheque amounting to Rs.25000 and Rs.15000 were given to second and third winners of the mega final of the Devotional Song Competition on the occasion. |
