New Year begins with Multiple Snow racing events

GULMARG, JANUARY 1: On the first day of the New Year-2021, the Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir on Friday organized several colorful and entertaining Snow based events at Gulmarg amidst hundreds of Tourists and local youth enjoying the Sports bonanza.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole who was the Chief Guest on the occassion flagged off the seven races.
The thrilling Snow Sports races were organized in Snow Skiing, Snow Boarding, Snow Sludge, ATV, Snow Mobile, Snow Tube and Snow Cycling in which hundreds of local youth enthusiastically participated.
Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Dr G N Itoo, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani, CEO, GDA, Inam-ul-Haq, Joint Director Tourism, Tabassum Kamili, Deputy Director, Publicity / Recreation, Ideel Saleem and Assistant Director, Gulmarg, Dr Javid-ur-Rehman were also present.
Hundreds of Tourists who are presently in Gulmarg to enjoy their holidays in the Winter wonderland were happily seen cheering the participants.
Later, in the day, certificates and prizes were distributed by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir among the winners across all the seven races. Certificates were also distributed among the participants of the first batch of the Youth who successfully completed their 7-Day Introductory Ski Course being Sponsored by the Tourism Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir congratulated the Tourism Department for organising Cultural activities and Snow based Sports events at Gulmarg, which he said, not only entertain the Tourists presently in Kashmir but also prove beneficial to nurture local talent giving them confidence to compete in competitive events in future like the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games being held in Gulmarg this winter. He also prayed for a COVID free, peaceful and good tourism year ahead in Jammu and Kashmir.
On New Year’s Eve, as part of the New Year Celebrations, Colorful and gala entertaining events were organized by Directorate of Tourism, Kashmir on Thursday evening at Gulmarg and Pahalgam, which despite sub-zero temperatures saw participation of thousands of Tourists and local youth seen enjoying and fully immersed in the cultural extravaganza including comedy shows by famous Kashmiri comedian, Nazir Josh and Sufi Songs by budding young singers and much more.