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| When will Jammu of pre-90 era return? | | |
Nagender Jamwal
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 1: Jammu and Kashmir government has miserably failed in generating confidence among the locals to reinvigorate the night life of Jammu which attracted people from outskirts and outside the state in the pre-militancy period.
Despite repeated claims of improvement in security situation, administration has failed to generate enthusiasm among Jammuites for keeping their business establishments open beyond 9 PM. Night shows have become a thing of past with cinema halls still reluctant to host the late night shows.
The Bazaar presently shuts down completely by 9 PM during summer season and 8 pm during winters which was not the case in the pre-militancy era. On festive occasions, bazaar would not shut down before 12 in the night and families would prefer going for outings after 8PM. Late night show was heart throb of Jammuites and those coming to Jammu from peripheries and outside the state would make it a point to watch this show.
However, with the onset of militancy, this show was called off and thereafter; people in cinema business have shown reluctance to restart this show. Reinvigorating night life has become extremely important since railway is set to reach Kashmir valley in the next three years. Once the train reaches Kashmir, Jammu would lose it present importance.
Udhampur and Katra are set to become major trading centers. Locals in Jammu assert that steps should be taken on war-footing to prevent Jammu from becoming another Pathankote. They maintain that night life needs to be brought alive in Jammu to attract visitors and tourists from outside the state and peripheries.
Locals say that repeated claims of improvement in ground situation in Jammu region fall flat when the administration shows reluctance in allowing the cinema hall owners to run late night shows. During summer season, it is difficult for people to shop during daytime.
“It has become immensely important to give Jammu city a new look to attract tourists. Otherwise, business would die its natural death over a period of time,” said Ghanshyam Sharma, a wholesaler. He maintained that need of the hour is to give some shape to the night life of Jammu and make it more attractive. “Only this can be sold to tourists and visitors coming to Jammu from various parts of the country,” added a shopkeeper.
Locals are unable to understand as to why the administration is reluctant to take effective measures for giving impetus to the nightlife of Jammu. “Police is well-equipped to deal with emergency situations. They have modern weapons and other necessary gadgets for fighting criminals and others anti-social elements,” said a trader in Raghunath bazaar.
He stressed that nightlife of Jammu would become more attractive if ancient heritage of Jammu is restructured. “Restaurants which have come up fast in the last twenty years have customers till 12 in the night. They hardly face any problem. Looking at this, one should not be hesitant in going ahead with conception of night life,” said Sham Talib, a poet. He added that cable network has also cut short night life of Jammu.
“Administration must learn from metro cities. People go for shopping, movies, discos, and restaurants after 10 pm. Spending time outside your homes is leisure outside the state especially in New Delhi, Bombay and Kolkata,” said Meenakshi Law student. She opined that such a life would prevent Jammu from suffering heavy economic losses.
Ask the administration and they would tell you that they have been making efforts for bringing back night life in Jammu. “We are ready to provide foolproof security to the commercial and business establishments if they want to do business after 11PM. We would infact welcome such a move,” said a police officer. He opined that much has changed in Jammu in the last twenty years.
“Jammu has become a hub of education with localites preferring to keep their children busy with studies. Families have seemingly lost time for leisure and it is why the cinema owners are reluctant to start late night shows,” added the officer. He stressed that it is for the business community to take the initiative. “We would ensure foolproof security,” added the officer.
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