Dr Shah Faesal, who recently resigned from the Indian Administrative Service, was the chief guest on the occasion
A Kashmiri children band was the star attraction at the 12th Kashmir Festival organised by NGOs Sarhad and Arham Foundation in Pune on Thursday.
Dr Shah Faesal, who recently resigned from the Indian Administrative Service, was the chief guest on the occasion.
A scintillating inaugural performance by the newly set up band “Gaash” comprising children, from across Jammu and Kashmir marked the celebration of 12th Kashmir festival here.
“From Kashmiri folk songs to Marathi songs and finally the Bollywood touch, the band members regaled the capacity crowd present to celebrate the occasion. The first ever performance of the band received wide appreciation and those present lauded their spirit and positive approach,” a statement said on Friday.
Among those who were present at the occasion included senior journalist Anil Anand and film maker Mushtaq Ali Khan who is also the festival director for Sarhad’s three-day International film festival to be held later this month.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarhad’s founder Sanjay Nahar said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir were talented lot and his endeavour was to create opportunities particularly for those who have become victims of violence, through providing them educational and other facilities.
“Many of them are under the wings of SARHAD and they are like my family members. We are committed to provide all possible help in any effort aimed at bringing lasting peace in Kashmir” he said.
In his address, veteran writer P K Koul, who is currently based in Pune, said every possible effort should be made to bring peace in Kashmir.
“The need of the hour is that everyone should join hands to bring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Lauding the work done by Sarhad in looking after the violence affected children of the state, Anand said that setting up of “Gaash” band and the impressive performance by its members in a short span of their existence was an index of the NGO’s commitment to the cause.
